Addis Ababa, September 17, 2025 (FMC) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a transformative project for the Horn of Africa, highlighting its role in regional development and energy integration.
In a recent interview with Saudi media Al Arabiya, he said the dam, under construction for over a decade, is primarily designed to generate electricity and will strengthen growth in Ethiopia and neighboring countries. “Electricity is essential for any development process. From this perspective, the GERD is a success,” he said.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted that Ethiopia already exports power to Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti, and described the project as both a national achievement and a shared opportunity for the region.
The GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, is located on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region, Guba woreda, near the Sudanese border.
It is noteworthy that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the inauguration of Africa’s largest hydroelectric project on 9th September 2025 alongside other African leaders, marking the dam as a milestone for the continent.
He also welcomed Ethiopia’s readiness for dialogue with countries concerned about the project, saying constructive engagement ensures mutual benefits and strengthens regional cooperation.