Addis Ababa, August 30, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is strategically leveraging its vast renewable energy resources to expand domestic electricity access and interconnect East Africa, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa highlighted.
Minister Habtamu underscored that the country is capitalizing on its abundant hydropower, wind, solar, and geothermal resources to position itself as a continental energy hub. The nation’s energy strategy envisions extending electricity supply to neighboring and regional countries, fostering cross-border power trade, and promoting industrialization at home.
Ethiopia possesses one of Africa’s largest renewable energy potentials. With an estimated hydropower capacity exceeding 5,000 megawatts, the country has completed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydropower facility on the continent. Currently, Ethiopia exports electricity to Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya, with plans underway to expand interconnections to South Sudan, Tanzania, and other African nations.
“The implementation of these infrastructure projects is central to Ethiopia’s goal of becoming a regional and continental energy hub. It will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, drive industrial development, and generate foreign exchange through cross-border electricity trade,” Minister Habtamu said.
He emphasized that Ethiopia’s energy developments will provide substantial benefits to neighboring countries.
The nation’s abundant water, wind, and solar resources present immense opportunities for electricity generation, distribution, and regional cooperation.
Highlighting progress over the past five years, Minister Habtamu noted that Ethiopia has significantly expanded electricity access since the country’s reforms, and ongoing renewable energy projects, including GERD, are accelerating efforts to supply power beyond the nation’s borders.
The minister stressed that prioritizing infrastructure projects, particularly those linking Ethiopia with neighboring countries, will create mutual economic benefits and foster regional growth, ENA reported.
He expressed optimism that supplying electricity to neighboring nations would stimulate their economic development and affirmed that Ethiopia will continue strengthening regional connectivity through both electricity and road infrastructure, consolidating its ambition to emerge as a continental energy leader.