By Michelle Ndaga
Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Africa’s largest hydropower facility today, with Kenya’s President William Ruto joining as the event’s chief guest.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presided over the ceremony alongside regional dignitaries including Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
President Ruto’s presence underscored East Africa’s growing diplomatic alignment around shared energy and climate ambitions.
Valued at approximately $5 billion, the dam is expected to add up to 5,150 MW of electricity far exceeding current output and potentially turning Ethiopia into a regional energy exporter.
The project, however, has ignited fierce opposition from Egypt, which depends on the Nile for its water and fears downstream shortages. Sudan, meanwhile, offered cautious optimism about the dam’s potential to enhance flood management and energy supply.
President Ruto travels to Ethiopia not only to attend the dam launch but also to take part in the Africa Climate Summit.
