The successful completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) demonstrates Ethiopia’s strong institutional capacity to independently deliver world-class infrastructure projects, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

He described the dam as a landmark achievement that reflects national determination, effective governance, and the ability to manage complex mega-projects from conception to completion.

Prime Minister Abiy made the remarks while presenting his government’s mid-term performance report to the House of Peoples’ Representatives, followed by a question-and-answer session with members of parliament. He emphasized that GERD was built without external aid or loans, underscoring Ethiopia’s commitment to self-reliance and collective national effort.

According to the Prime Minister, the $5 billion hydroelectric project sets a new benchmark for infrastructure development in Africa. He noted that strong government oversight, disciplined project management, and a culture of continuous work were critical to ensuring the dam’s timely completion and operational success.

Beyond its symbolic value, GERD is a strategic asset for Ethiopia and the wider region. With an installed capacity of over 5,000 megawatts, the dam strengthens energy security, supports regional power integration, and contributes to long-term economic growth, reinforcing Ethiopia’s ambition to become a regional energy hub.

Abiy said Ethiopia is setting a model for project execution across Africa, highlighting the government’s approach of managing mega-projects from construction to completion.

He added that the culture of working around the clock, seven days a week, is taking root and expanding across various regions, fueled by ongoing projects and corridor development.

According to the reform-minded prime minister. “Ethiopia did not take even one birr in aid or loans for the Renaissance Dam; it is a collective national project realized through the firm determination, resilience, and unity of heroic Ethiopians who stood together and worked tirelessly.”

The GERD, built on the Abbay River, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam and a symbol of Ethiopia’s ambition to become a regional energy hub.

With more than 5,000 MW of installed capacity, GERD provides power domestically and to neighboring countries. The dam is also crucial for water regulation, irrigation, and boosting economic development, making it a strategic asset not only for Ethiopia but for the entire region.

Ethiopia emphasized that the GERD is a testament to national pride, technical expertise, and Africa-driven development, underscoring Ethiopia’s commitment to using its resources to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for its citizens.

GERD was inaugurated earlier in September with regional leaders attending, and blessing the hydro scheme as being vital for regional integration.

Ethiopia has already been exporting electricity to Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya as part of the regional power interconnection, while the country plans to expand exports to Tanzania and other countries of the Eastern and Southern Africa regions.

Beyond the GERD, Ethiopia is also advancing with similar other infrastructural projects, including the second-largest hydroelectric power station in Africa, the Koysha Hydroelectric Project.

The government has actively managed the construction of related infrastructure, including a fertilizer factory, gas refinery, and other mega projects.