Egypt’s Nile Basin Diplomacy Is Meant to Block Upstream Development — Ethiopian Minister
Addis Ababa, July 29, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, has accused Egypt of pursuing diplomatic engagements across the Nile Basin with the objective of discouraging upstream countries from undertaking major water resource development projects.
In an exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation, the Minister argued that recent Egyptian initiatives in several Nile Basin countries should not be viewed as genuine efforts to advance regional development, but rather as attempts to preserve long-standing opposition to large-scale upstream water infrastructure.
Habtamu said recent cooperation agreements and engagements undertaken by Egypt in some African countries are intended to divert attention from strategic river development, particularly the construction of large dams on Nile tributaries.
Referring to a recent cooperation arrangement between Egypt and Kenya, the Minister claimed the initiative focuses on groundwater development and small-scale water harvesting rather than major river infrastructure. According to him, the underlying objective is to discourage upstream countries from pursuing large dam projects that could utilize Nile waters for national development.
He also pointed to Egypt’s recent activities in South Sudan, including the inauguration of what he described as a small village water supply project, arguing that such initiatives have little significance for the broader development of Nile Basin water resources.
The Minister said similar engagements have also been carried out in Tanzania, describing them as part of a wider campaign intended to portray Egypt as a development partner while discouraging major upstream water projects.
Habtamu stressed that Ethiopia contributes about 86 percent of the water flowing into the Abbay (Blue Nile)-Nile system, arguing that meaningful cooperation over the basin must recognize the role of upstream countries rather than seek to limit their development opportunities.
He contrasted Egypt’s approach with Ethiopia’s regional cooperation efforts, noting that Ethiopia has supplied affordable electricity to neighboring countries, including Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan, as part of its commitment to regional integration.
The Minister also cited Ethiopia’s cross-border water supply project serving Djibouti, saying the country provides up to 100,000 cubic meters of clean groundwater daily without charge, describing it as a practical demonstration of Ethiopia’s commitment to shared regional development.
According to Habtamu, Ethiopia’s approach is based on cooperation, regional integration and mutual prosperity, while attempts to discourage upstream development undermine the collective interests of Nile Basin countries.
He maintained that sustainable management of the Abbay River can only be achieved through equitable cooperation that respects the sovereign right of every basin country to utilize its natural resources for development.