Addis Ababa, October 23, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially inaugurated the Megech Irrigation Dam Project, marking a major milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to expand irrigation-based agriculture, strengthen food production and improve access to clean drinking water in historic Gondar city and surrounding communities in Amhara region.
With a storage capacity of 185 million cubic meters, the project is designed to irrigate more than 17,000 hectares of farmland, directly benefiting tens of thousands of local farmers and creating new opportunities for agricultural production and economic activity.
In a post published on his social media page following the inauguration, the Prime Minister said the project, which had faced years of delays, was brought to fruition by resolving implementation challenges through the Medemer philosophy, emphasizing coordinated efforts to overcome obstacles and deliver vital development infrastructure.
Beyond its agricultural role, the dam is expected to strengthen the water supply for Gondar and nearby towns, while its artificial lake is set to open additional economic opportunities through urban agriculture, large-scale fisheries and tourism resorts.
These activities are expected to generate employment for local youth, diversify livelihoods and stimulate economic growth across the area, broadening the project’s impact beyond irrigation and water infrastructure.
The inauguration marks a significant step in efforts to turn a delayed development undertaking into an asset for local communities.
By combining agricultural irrigation, drinking-water provision and new economic opportunities, the project is intended to support both rural livelihoods and the continued development of Gondar and its surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Abiy noted that Gondar still requires further development despite the achievement, calling on the public to take an active role in advancing the city’s progress.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ethiopia’s development is inclusive, with progress reaching all regions and citizens.