Addis Ababa, September 9, 2025 (FMC) — Kenyan President William Ruto has lauded Ethiopia’s inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), describing it as a defining milestone that affirms Africa’s capacity to shape its own destiny.
“We believe that no country should be denied the opportunity to unlock a vast resource such as the one we are witnessing today,” President Ruto declared at the official launch of Africa’s largest hydroelectric power project.
The landmark ceremony was attended by regional and international leaders, including President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, and Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini, alongside host Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Ruto praised Ethiopians for delivering the GERD through domestically mobilized resources, without reliance on foreign debt or external support — a feat he said embodies Africa’s resilience and independence.
“The sweat, energy, and sacrifice invested in this monumental achievement by Ethiopians gives us confidence in our ability as Africans to command our own development,” he emphasized. “Ethiopia has raised billions without borrowing, proving that Africa need not depend on aid to achieve transformative change.”
He further applauded Prime Minister Abiy’s leadership, noting: “You inspire not only Ethiopians but also the broader region. Continue on this path — you are doing the right thing.”
The Kenyan leader underscored the growing partnership between Nairobi and Addis Ababa in clean energy, citing Ethiopia’s additional hydropower capacity as critical to enhancing Kenya’s grid reliability, particularly during droughts. This, he noted, directly supports Kenya’s industrial zones, ICT hubs, and broader economic agenda.
Ruto revealed that Kenya is ready to sign an expanded power purchase agreement with Ethiopia to secure additional surplus electricity from the GERD, reinforcing what he called “a living example of regional integration.”
Beyond bilateral gains, Ruto stressed the dam’s continental significance, pointing out that over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. He described the GERD as a “blueprint for scaling similar transformative projects across Africa” to meet rapidly growing energy demands driven by population expansion and urbanization.
Drawing parallels with Kenya’s own housing program aimed at uplifting millions from informal settlements, Ruto said both nations are proving that development can be pursued without debt dependency or perpetual external appeals.
He concluded by urging unity, remarking that the GERD should remind the region that “the path to peace and prosperity lies not in division, but in working together to harness our shared resources.