Ethiopia Completes the Power-Generating Dam on The Nile That Caused a Dispute With Egypt

July 7, 2025

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River is now complete, with an official inauguration planned for September. This milestone has heightened tensions with Egypt, which views the dam as an existential threat to its water supply for agriculture and its population of over 100 million people. Despite years of negotiations, no agreement has been reached between the two countries regarding water allocation during droughts, though Ethiopia claims it is committed to ensuring its growth doesn't harm its neighbors.

Who is affected

Egypt and its more than 100 million people who rely on the Nile for water
Ethiopia's 120 million citizens who stand to benefit from increased electricity generation
Sudan, which is also impacted by the dam's operations
The 10 countries in the Nile Basin Initiative partnership
Farmers in Egypt who depend on Nile water for agriculture

What action is being taken

Ethiopia is preparing for the dam's official inauguration in September
The dam is already producing power, having begun electricity generation in 2022
The Nile Basin Initiative partnership is implementing an accord on equitable use of water resources
Ethiopia is continuing with its plans despite ongoing tensions with Egypt

Why it matters

Egypt considers the dam an existential threat as it relies almost entirely on the Nile for its water supply
The dam is expected to double Ethiopia's power output to over 6,000 megawatts, making it a net energy exporter
The project represents Ethiopia's efforts to pull millions of its citizens out of poverty
The dam challenges colonial-era agreements that gave Egypt and Sudan rights to most Nile water
Tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt were once so high that observers feared potential war

What's next

The official inauguration of the dam is scheduled for September
No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding negotiations or resolution of the water-sharing dispute

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint