NAIROBI – Ethiopia officially inaugurates Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, a project that will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.
Ethiopia, the continent’s fastest-growing economy, hopes the dam will make it a hub for energy in Africa. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, located in the Blue Nile basin, has been a source of tension between Ethiopia and Egypt for years due to concerns about water scarcity and potential disruptions to the flow of the Nile River.
Despite Egypt’s opposition, Ethiopia proceeded with the construction of the dam, citing the need to address energy shortages in the country. The Ethiopian government views the project as crucial for meeting the energy needs of its growing population and reducing reliance on imported electricity.
The inauguration of the dam represents a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s energy sector. The project is expected to generate over 6,000 megawatts of electricity once fully operational, making it a key contributor to Ethiopia’s goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2025.
Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile for freshwater supply, has raised concerns about the dam’s potential impact on its water security. The country fears that the dam could affect the flow of the Nile, which is critical for its agriculture and population.
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