Summary
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a major infrastructure project on the Blue Nile River, designed to boost Ethiopia's energy access and development. It was announced in 2011 and funded largely through contributions from Ethiopians, including school children, highlighting a national effort to support the project. The dam's completion has historical roots and is a significant milestone for Ethiopia, despite regional tensions with Egypt and Sudan over water resources.
Key Facts
- The GERD is Ethiopia's largest hydroelectric project, completed nearly 14 years after it was announced.
- The project was funded through contributions from Ethiopians, with everyone from students to civil servants participating.
- Initial planning for a dam on the Nile dates back to the early 1900s with involvement from colonial powers like the UK and Italy.
- Tensions exist with Egypt and Sudan, who worry that the dam might reduce their share of Nile water.
- Ethiopia was not party to early treaties between the UK, Egypt, and Sudan which determined water use rights, leading Ethiopia to reject these agreements.
- The project was announced by then-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in 2011, with a cost estimate of $4.5 billion at the time.
- The GERD provides Ethiopia with a vital resource for energy, intended to support the country's economic growth.
