Koysha Hydroelectric Project Stands as a Testament to Ethiopia’s Determination: PM Abiy

Addis Ababa, October 25, 2025 (FMC) — The Koysha Hydroelectric Dam Project – the country’s second biggest hydro power project after Grand Ethiopian.Renaissance Dam (GERD) – has become a symbol of Ethiopia’s determination to achieve its development goals, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said.

The remarks came during a review of the nation’s macroeconomic performance in the first 100 days of the 2018 E.C. (2025/26 fiscal year) with a field visit to the Koysha hydroelectric dam project site in Southwest Ethiopia.

After the visit, he presided over discussions with members of the Council of Ministers at the site project site, where ministers shared their assessments during a review of the macroeconomic performance of the first 100 days of the 2018 E.C. (2025/26 fiscal year).

Prime Minister Abiy, together with members of the Council of Ministers, visited the Koysha project in Southwest Ethiopia to assess progress and discuss results achieved in various sectors during the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Recalling his initial encounter with the project, the Prime Minister noted that when he first visited Koysha, it was only a site camp rather than an active construction project. He explained that at that time, no cement had been poured, and only preliminary soil excavation had started, which later stalled due to a lack of funds.

He added that the strategic importance of the project became clear after discussions with experts, including representatives from Salini Group, and visits to Gibe III, which demonstrated Koysha’s role in balancing electricity demand and supply in the country. The decision to move forward with the project reflected the belief that it would make a significant contribution to national energy security.

The Prime Minister reported that since the project’s revival, approximately 15 million cubic meters of soil have been excavated for the dam, spillway, and power house, while 5.4 million cubic meters of concrete have been poured. He noted that most materials were sourced from the Addis Ababa area, as local metal supplies were limited.

Highlighting the project’s current status, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the Koysha Dam now reaches 128 meters in height, just 17 meters shorter than the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and that civil works have achieved 70 percent completion.

He underscored that the project’s success was the result of collective effort, requiring not only financial resources but also professionals and workers who shared the national vision, alongside a peace-loving local community that supported the construction.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the Koysha Dam has significantly contributed to knowledge transfer, equipping professionals with skills and experience that will benefit future infrastructure projects in Ethiopia.

He further highlighted that understanding and tackling challenges, while maintaining focus on national priorities, remains central to achieving Ethiopia’s broader development objectives.