HE Mesfin Gebremariam, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Rwanda

By: Mr. Alfred Camus Djasnan, Director & Editor-in-Chief, Magazine Charilogone; CEO, Charilogone Media International

Ethiopia’s Triumph: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Inaugurated
On September 9, 2025, Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), marking the completion of Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. This monumental achievement, celebrated on the eve of Ethiopia’s New Year, symbolizes not only national pride but a continental renaissance. The GERD stands as a beacon of resilience, unity, and self-reliance—an emblem of what African nations can accomplish through determination and collective effort.

Q: Your Excellency, congratulations on the successful completion and inauguration of the GERD.
What does this milestone mean for Ethiopia and how do you describe its significance?

Ambassador Mesfin Gebremariam: Thank you very much. I also extend heartfelt congratulations to Ethiopians living both inside and outside the country. This dam is the fruit of resilience, perseverance, and hard work. Its completion and full commissioning on September 9, 2025, marks a defining moment in our nation’s history—a long-awaited renaissance. It is, without exaggeration, the greatest achievement in the history of the Black race and a source of pride for all Africans.

What makes this accomplishment truly remarkable is that Ethiopia financed the dam independently. Contributions came from citizens across all walks of life—students, teachers, business owners, farmers—through bond purchases and donations. The government remained steadfast in its commitment, recognizing that sustainably developing this water resource is essential for dignity and prosperity for current and future generations.

The GERD is a nationally envisioned and fully owned initiative, designed to address the urgent need for affordable electricity for nearly half of Ethiopia’s population. Now, with an installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts and annual generation of nearly 15,690 gigawatt-hours, it will meet Ethiopia’s growing energy demands, projected to serve a population of 230 million by 2030.

PM of Ethiopia during the Inauguration of GERD

Q: Ethiopia’s journey to this moment was not without challenges. What were the major obstacles and how did the nation overcome them?

Ambassador: One of the major challenges was financing. Ethiopia was determined to build this mega project relying entirely on domestic sources. This came with resource shortages and the absence of external funding. Yet, the Ethiopian people stood firm.

Another challenge was diplomatic pressure. The country faced tensions based on unfounded concerns that the dam would reduce water flow and cause shortages to downstream countries. But the facts tell a different story. The GERD assures flood control and regulated water flow to Egypt and Sudan. It benefits everyone in the region—whether through power purchase agreements or future development initiatives.

As Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, “The Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity.” Ethiopia remained committed to transparency, sharing design documents with Egypt and Sudan, implementing recommendations from the International Panel of Experts, and signing the Declaration of Principles.

Despite Egypt’s efforts to escalate the matter to the UN Security Council and interrupt negotiations, Ethiopia stayed firmly on the diplomatic track. We engaged under the legitimate umbrella of the African Union and worked with common friends who offered support to bridge differences. The Prime Minister’s official visit to Egypt in July 2023 led to the resumption of direct trilateral technical talks, reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful resolution and cooperation.

Q: What regional and continental benefits does the GERD offer, and what is Ethiopia’s stance moving forward?

Ambassador: Completing the GERD with domestic resources once again shows that Africans are capable of rescuing and developing themselves. It is our second ‘Adwa’—a victory in unity that inspires all Africans. The dam speaks to Pan-Africanism and supports the African Union’s integration agenda.

The power generated benefits the entire region, surpassing Ethiopia’s borders. It serves as a symbol of unity, diligence, and pride. Egypt and Sudan will benefit from the GERD through regulated water flow, reduced flooding and sedimentation, minimized evaporation losses, and increased energy production. These benefits have already begun to materialize.

Ethiopia continues to call on Nile Basin countries to cooperate—sharing experiences, supporting each other in international advocacy, and developing shared resources. We have always opted for a negotiated agreement. Such an agreement would provide predictability for Egypt and Sudan while ensuring the GERD’s benefits reach all three countries and beyond.

Moreover, it would correct the unjust status quo that asserts full control over the Nile. Ethiopia strongly resists claims based on colonial privileges and the denial of the rights and needs of Nile River peoples. That argument is worn out—it no longer holds ground. Ethiopia will continue its development projects near the Abbay River to benefit the country, the region, and the continent.

Q: The inauguration coincided with Ethiopia’s New Year. Can you tell us more about the Ethiopian calendar?

Ambassador: The Ethiopian calendar is unique. It follows a 13-month system—12 months of 30 days and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days. Beyond its practicality, it symbolizes Ethiopia’s historical independence and rich cultural identity.

Our New Year arrives with the end of the rainy season and is marked by the blooming of the yellow “Adey Abeba” flower. It’s a season of renewal and hope, as fields and mountains across the country come alive with blossoms and harvests after the darker months.

Q: Any final message to the people of Ethiopia and the international community?

Ambassador: I sincerely wish all Ethiopians a happy and prosperous New Year and congratulate them on celebrating the completion of this grand national project. I extend my deepest gratitude to Ethiopia’s sister countries and friends who joined in this celebration—a testament to hope, tenacity, and a daring dedication to independence, vision, and fraternity through mutual gain.

It is also important to reiterate to our downstream states that Ethiopia remains committed to regional cooperation. We continue to open the door for collaboration with our brothers and sisters—countries that benefit from the GERD—through mutually beneficial negotiations and agreements.

Thank you.

Head of States With PM of Ethiopia during the Inauguration of GERD

 

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