PM Abiy: GERD Is Ethiopia’s dawn and proof Africa can achieve greatness

Addis Ababa, September 9, 2025 (FMC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has hailed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a historic achievement that symbolizes Ethiopia’s awakening and demonstrates Africa’s capacity to achieve greatness through unity and determination.

Delivering remarks at the inauguration ceremony of Africa’s biggest hydroelectric dam in Guba, PM Abiy described GERD as more than a national project, calling it “a generational victory” and a symbol of resilience for black peoples worldwide.

“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a monumental work that shows we can, and we will, succeed,” the Prime Minister said.

He underscored that GERD carries meaning far beyond its physical structure.

“This is not only Ethiopia’s history, but the history of all black peoples. The Renaissance will live on as a legacy of perseverance and hope,” Abiy declared, congratulating Ethiopians for what he called a hard-won generational struggle.

The Prime Minister also invoked the enduring imagery of the Abbay River, saying: “For centuries, the Abbay had only a mouth but no legs; Ethiopians spoke to it, but it did not answer. Today, through the Renaissance Dam, the Abbay speaks for itself.”

Announcing that the reservoir, capable of holding 74 billion cubic meters of water, has been named *Nigat* — meaning *Dawn* — Prime.Minister Abiy said the project symbolizes Ethiopia’s rebirth.

“Ethiopia has risen from a deep sleep. Prosperity and justice are inevitable, and Ethiopia will stand self-reliant,” he told the gathering.

Addressing concerns from downstream countries, Premier Abiy emphasized that GERD was never intended to cause harm. “We built the Renaissance Dam for the benefit of our neighbors, to provide clean energy, to light up the region, and to change the history of black people,” he said.

Framing GERD as both a continental and global symbol, the Prime Minister concluded: “This is a Renaissance we will continue to nurture, not only for Ethiopia but for all black peoples. I invite the world to come and witness this history.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks cemented GERD not only as Ethiopia’s largest infrastructure project but also as a rallying point for African pride and a declaration of self-reliance.