Egypt expresses concern as Ethiopia opens hydroelectric dam

Ethiopia officially inaugurated Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, 19 September, a project that will provide energy to millions while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.

- By Dawit Endeshaw

Ethiopia, the continent’s second most populous nation, regards the $5-billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on a tributary of the Nile as central to its economic ambitions.

The dam’s output has gradually increased since the first turbine was turned on in 2022, and it reached its maximum 5,150 MW of power on Tuesday.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said the dam will improve access to electricity for almost half of the population who had none as recently as 2022, and surplus will be exported to the region.