Addis Ababa, September 1, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) marks the end of Ethiopia’s long history of unfulfilled aspirations to harness the Abbay River, transforming centuries of yearning into a tangible national achievement.
Speaking during a discussion at Guba, the site of the GERD, alongside his Social Affairs Advisor Deacon Daniel Kibret, the Prime Minister reflected on the historical struggle of Ethiopians to utilize the river for development.
“For hundreds of years, our people aspired to build a project of this scale, or at least something smaller,” he said. “They sought the expertise of foreigners, exchanged letters, and pursued every possible avenue, but such ambitions were repeatedly thwarted by financial constraints, limited technical capacity, and an unfavorable geopolitical environment.”
Abiy stressed that Ethiopia now stands at a turning point, moving from what he described as a period of “geopolitical stagnation” to a position of strength and agency.
“We have rejected the geopolitical posturing of the past, which never served us—neither our size, nor our scope, nor the history of our people,” he said. “Instead, we have worked to secure a stronger geopolitical footing, one that honors both our past and our future. It is under these favorable conditions that the dreams, laments, and sacrifices of generations have finally been realized.”
According to the Prime Minister, the GERD is not merely a hydroelectric project but also a symbol of Ethiopia’s renewed sovereignty and progress, demonstrating the nation’s ability to harness its own natural resources and transform them into lasting development.