Addis Ababa, July 16, 2026 (FMC) — Fish production from Nigat Lake, the reservoir of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), more than doubled during the 2025/26 Ethiopian fiscal year, underscoring the project’s expanding contribution to Ethiopia’s economy beyond electricity generation.
The Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Agriculture Bureau said fish harvest from the reservoir reached 10,799 tons during the fiscal year, marking a sharp increase from the previous year.
Beyond supplying hydropower, the reservoir—named Nigat Lake by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—is emerging as a driver of fisheries, tourism and employment.
The artificial lake, home to more than 70 islands, is also expected to support inland water transport while contributing to the area’s ecological balance.
Deputy Head of the bureau’s Animal and Fisheries Development Sector, Berhanu Itcha, said 46 small-scale cooperative unions are currently engaged in fishing activities on the lake.
He added that additional fishing associations will be established as the regional government seeks to expand the sector and create more employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The latest production figures highlight the growing role of GERD’s reservoir as a source of economic activity, complementing its strategic importance in power generation.