Addis Ababa, July 3, 2025 (FMC) – The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been completed, and preparations are underway for its official inauguration this September, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed confirmed today during the 42nd regular session of the House of People’s Representatives.
Responding to parliamentary questions about the government’s budget implementation, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia’s firm commitment to inaugurate the dam despite some calls to disrupt its completion. He stressed that “there is nothing that can prevent the inauguration of the GERD,” underscoring the milestone’s significance for Ethiopia and the wider Nile Basin.
Addressing Ethiopia’s downstream neighbors, Egypt and Sudan, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that the Renaissance Dam is not a threat but rather a shared opportunity. He described the dam as a symbol of regional cooperation and mutual benefit, with the energy and development it generates expected to uplift not only Ethiopia but the entire region.
Citing Egypt’s Aswan Dam, he noted that it “has not lost a single litre of water due to the GERD’s operation,” reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to ensuring its development does not come at the expense of its neighbors.
Ethiopia remains open and ready for constructive dialogue with Egypt, Sudan, and all Nile Basin nations and has officially invited them to join in celebrating the dam’s inauguration, marking a historic milestone for regional progress and Ethiopia’s renaissance, Prime Minister underscored.
Whereas, Ethiopia’s broader infrastructure development is advancing rapidly. The country’s road network now spans 175,000 kilometres, with 300 road projects valued at 1.5 trillion birr approved this year. Currently, 169 projects covering over 11,000 kilometres are under construction, and more than 1,000 kilometres of new roads are scheduled for inauguration within the year. Additionally, 17,000 kilometres of roads are undergoing maintenance, bringing the total length of roads being newly constructed or repaired to 28,000 kilometres.
To address housing shortages, Ethiopia has introduced public, private, and public-private partnership approaches. Over the past five years, approximately 1 million homes have been built, with over 265,000 more currently under construction.
During the recent rainy season, more than 100,000 homes were renovated through voluntary efforts, the premier noted, adding that his government has also launched rural corridor projects to provide quality housing access outside urban centers, with plans to continue expanding housing opportunities nationwide.
Meanwhile, corridor development initiatives have transformed cities by removing long-standing waste and pollution, resulting in cleaner, more livable environments. Addis Ababa’s transformation, achieved through self-financing and local expertise, has garnered widespread admiration and improved the quality of life for residents. Similar progress is being made in other cities such as Gondar, Jimma, Bahir Dar, and Bishoftu.
By the end of August, over 20,000 projects including roads, health centers, schools, and other infrastructure are expected to be inaugurated nationwide, demonstrating Ethiopia’s capacity to drive meaningful urban renewal, he said.