Ethiopia’s mega dam has taken 14 years to build

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a symbol of national unity and pride

- JOHN MUKUM MBAKU

IN APRIL 2011, Ethiopia began construction of Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), on the Blue Nile river.

The dam is expected to generate more than 6 000 megawatts of electricity, effectively transforming Ethiopia into the continent's largest power exporter.

The dam affects 11 countries, two downstream and nine upstream. Addis Ababa completed construction of the US$4 billion-plus project in July 2025, mainly with funds sourced from Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora, with an official launch on September 9, 2025. Having researched the governance of the Nile’s waters, I explain the dam’s potential for Ethiopia - and the controversies that have dogged it.

The dispute over the allocation and use of the Nile waters has been going on for many years. This has been exacerbated by climate change, and increased demand for food and water from growing populations. The 11 countries that share the waters of the Nile have competing development priorities too. These states include Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. Egypt and Sudan lie downstream. They receive the river's waters only after it has passed through the nine upstream states. Initially, the downstream states, particularly Egypt, opposed the construction of the dam, arguing that it was a threat to their water rights. However, Ethiopia powered ahead with construction. Egypt and Sudan then shifted negotiations to securing an agreement for filling and operating the dam.