Addis Ababa, September 9, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopians across the country took to the streets today to celebrate the historic inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), marking the fruition of one of the nation’s flagship development projects.
From early morning, crowds in Addis Ababa and major regional cities gathered to express their joy and pride. Streets were filled with families, youth groups, and community members waving the national flag, singing, and dancing in a spontaneous display of national unity and celebration.
The dam, Africa’s largest hydropower project, represents decades of vision, effort, and resilience by the Ethiopian people. For many, the inauguration is a moment of personal and national triumph, symbolizing the country’s determination to harness its resources for sustainable development and energy independence.
In Guba, near the GERD site, spectators witnessed a spectacular pre-inauguration display, including drone shows and music, which illuminated the night sky and further fueled the sense of celebration. The national anthem rang out across the riverbanks, echoing the pride and joy of Ethiopians from all walks of life.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several African leaders, including Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti; Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan; Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia; William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya; and Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini. International dignitaries present included Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The public festivities underscored the symbolic and emotional significance of the GERD, not just as an engineering feat, but as a tangible reward for the collective effort, sacrifice, and determination of the Ethiopian people. Citizens described the celebrations as a historic moment that strengthens national unity and optimism for the country’s future.