Addis Ababa, September 18, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia has achieved a significant milestone in its long-standing Nile water negotiations with Egypt and Sudan following the completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to an analysis by Middle East and Africa analyst Elfadil Ibrahim in The Arab Weekly on September 17.
The GERD, located on the Abbay River in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region—a river that contributes over 86% of the Nile’s waters—is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, with a generation capacity of 5,150 megawatts.
The project significantly boosts Ethiopia’s domestic energy generation and strengthens its position in regional water resource discussions.
Ibrahim noted that while Egypt has expressed concerns about potential impacts on its water supply and Sudan has raised questions regarding downstream flow management, Ethiopia emphasizes its sovereign right to use its natural resources for national development.
The Ethiopian government has also maintained that the dam will not significantly reduce downstream water levels and remains committed to cooperating with its neighbors to address any operational issues.
The GERD was officially inaugurated on September 9, 2025, by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and several African leaders in attendance. The ceremony underscored the national importance of the project and Ethiopia’s determination to harness the Abbay River for development while maintaining regional cooperation.
In his analysis, Ibrahim described the inauguration of the GERD as a strategic victory for Ethiopia, noting that the country has asserted its rights over the Nile and positioned itself as a key actor in Nile Basin negotiations.
He also highlighted that the dam enhances Ethiopia’s energy self-sufficiency and opens opportunities for regional electricity exports, contributing to economic and development goals.
The analysis further emphasizes that the GERD’s operation will influence the geopolitics of the Nile Basin, with Ethiopia’s approach to managing downstream concerns and cooperating with Egypt and Sudan being crucial for maintaining stability and equitable resource sharing.
“The inauguration of the GERD represents more than just an engineering achievement; it is a defining moment in Ethiopia’s efforts to assert its rights over the Nile waters,” Ibrahim wrote.
The Arab Weekly framed the completion of the dam as a turning point in the long-standing dispute, reflecting Ethiopia’s growing influence in Nile Basin politics and its determination to pursue development objectives despite regional opposition.