Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Tuesday, a $5 billion hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that will more than double the nation’s electricity supply while intensifying water disputes with downstream neighbors.
The dam stands 145 meters high and stretches 1.1 miles long, creating Lake Nigat with a 74-billion-cubic-meter capacity. At full operation, it will generate 5,100 megawatts of power, enough to supply tens of millions and enable Ethiopia to export electricity across East Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led the inauguration ceremony alongside Kenya’s President William Ruto and Djibouti’s Ismail Guelleh. Abiy called the dam “the greatest achievement in the history of the Black race” as fireworks marked the completion of 14 years of construction financed through government bonds and public donations.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam stands complete!
A testament to Ethiopia’s resolve and a beacon for Africa’s future. pic.twitter.com/RV6SMmoLMv
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) September 9, 2025
Nearly half of Ethiopia’s 135 million people lack electricity access. Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Ifeta said the government aims to provide power to 90% of households by 2030.
Egypt views the dam as an existential threat, relying on the Nile for 97% of its water supply. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared water security non-negotiable for Cairo. Sudan, engulfed in civil war, has been unable to maintain a consistent position on the project.
For Ethiopians, the dam represents national unity. Clinical nurse Kiros Asfaw told the BBC he purchased government bonds more than 100 times to support construction. “I promised myself to do everything I could to help it through the finish line,” he said.
Abiy has positioned the dam as a regional benefit, stating last year that “The Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity.” Whether neighboring countries agree remains unresolved as the project begins operations.
