Ethiopia Opens Africa's Largest Dam Amid Regional Tensions

Published SEP 9 2025

story

Above: A general view of the GERD project during its official inauguration ceremony in Guba, Ethiopia on Sept. 9, 2025. Image credit: Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Against all odds and without external funding, Ethiopia has birthedbuilt the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — a monument to unwavering determination and collective sacrifice. Built entirely through grassroots contributions from farmers to diaspora, it will liberate 60 million people from energy poverty while transforming Africa's hydroelectric landscape. A nation has literally powered its own renaissance.

The Washington Diplomat International Hydropower Association

Ethiopia's reckless pursuit of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam exposes dangerous unilateralism that threatens regional stability. Built without downstream consent, this $5 billion gamble with the Nile's lifeblood imperils millions in water-starved Egypt and war-torn Sudan. National pride cannot justify potentially catastrophic consequences for vulnerable neighbors dependent on these sacred waters.

Dw.Com CBS News

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 38% chance that state-based conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia will cause at least 1,000 deaths in a single year before 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.