Ethiopia Completes Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Largest Hydropower Project in Africa
Ethiopia has officially commissioned the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa's largest hydropower project, on September 9, 2025, after 14 years of construction and a cost of $5 billion. With a capacity of 5,150 megawatts and an annual production of approximately 15,700 gigawatt hours, the GERD exemplifies a shift towards self-reliant development in Africa, contrasting with Nigeria's numerous abandoned infrastructure projects. The project was primarily financed through domestic revenues, showcasing Ethiopia's commitment to advancing its energy sector.
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The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydropower dam in Africa, was commissioned on September 9, 2025. The dam, built at a cost of US$5 billion, has a capacity of 5,150 megawatts (MW), nearly double that of Nigeria's main hydropower dams.
Construction began in 2011 and concluded in 2025, taking 14 years. Ethiopia financed 91% of the project through domestic revenues and loans from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, with the remaining 9% from government bonds and diaspora contributions.
The GERD's reservoir holds 74 billion m³ of water and produces approximately 15,700 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually. The successful completion of the GERD contrasts with Nigeria's abandoned projects, with an estimated 56,000 abandoned government projects valued at N12 trillion. The GERD exemplifies a new paradigm for African development focused on self-reliance, contrasting sharply with Nigeria's ongoing infrastructure challenges.
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