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Ethiopia has inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, marking the culmination of a vision first conceived over a century ago. The $4.5 billion endeavor was uniquely funded through a national effort, with citizens across society—from civil servants to the diaspora—contributing to its construction via bonds and salary deductions. This collective investment fostered a profound sense of ownership and hope for a brighter, electrified future for a nation where 60 million people still lack electricity. While celebrated domestically as a symbol of progress and self-reliance, the dam has long been a point of regional tension with downstream neighbors Egypt and Sudan, who fear reduced water access. Despite these diplomatic challenges, the GERD now stands as a testament to Ethiopian resolve, poised to boost energy access and potentially generate up to $1 billion annually in energy exports.
Aljazeera