Aug 26, 2025 (The Ethiopian Herald/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
In the coming September, Ethiopia will be officially opening the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a game-changing project that symbolizes Ethiopia's determination to ramp up energy production, foster regional electrification and drive power integration in East Africa.
According to reports, the Dam has huge potential to hold 74 billion cubic meters of water, a vital resource utilized to generate electricity. The reports explained that the GERD is an integral component of Ethiopia's vision for electrification, industrial development as well as energy security.
The Ethiopian Electric Power statistics indicated that the project aims to raise electricity access coverage from the existing 54 percent to 78 percent within the upcoming five years. Once utilized fully, the GERD produced electricity will enable industrialization, boost productivity, and draw foreign investment. By minimizing the use of fossil fuels, GERD supports global sustainability objectives and a cleaner environment.
This Mega project does not only enhance meeting the domestic energy requirement but also seeks to export surplus electricity to neighboring countries in the region, thereby enhancing regional cooperation and economic development.
Besides national benefits, GERD augments regional cooperation in energy export. By exporting surplus energy to surrounding countries, Ethiopia can explode economic ties and maintain regional stability. This cooperation can enhance energy security in the East African region of countries like Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Djibouti, promoting collective development.
Additionally, GERD is expected to be a major contributor to poverty alleviation in neighboring countries while promoting peace and development in the region. As the Dam nears completion, its expected effects extend far beyond electricity generation.
According to some Experts, the mega project is a life-altering opportunity for Ethiopia, lifting its citizens from poverty to prosperity and illuminating lives that have long been shrouded in darkness.
The Dam would also foster regional cooperation among countries, paving the way for permanent peace and sustainable development in the entire East Africa region. Ethiopia's ample water resources, if efficiently utilized would also render the nation a major hub for electricity supply to the East Africa nations
The benefits of the GERD are far beyond electricity and agriculture. The area surrounding the Dam has an exceptionally beautiful landscape, strategically located near the border, making it a prime destination for international tourism. Projections suggest the development of modern cities capable of accommodating millions of citizens, along with burgeoning real estate and industrial factories.
Furthermore, the Dam will facilitate water transportation, and the entire region is poised to become a hub of development, benefiting from an inexhaustible supply of mineral-rich, clean water and its status as Africa's largest source of electric power.
The Dam also has a huge potential of realizing the country's electric vehicle (EV) revolution policy. With its immense capacity for clean energy generation, GERD can fundamentally transform transportation in Ethiopia and across East African and Horn of Africa nations, paving the way for a sustainable, less fossil fuel dependent future.
Ethiopia has already demonstrated a bold commitment to E-mobility, becoming to ban the import of internal combustion engine vehicles. This ambitious policy, coupled with generous tax incentives and plans for widespread charging infrastructure, signals a clear intent to transition to EVs.
Likewise, Ministry of Transport and Logistics reports showed that international manufacturers and suppliers of electric vehicles are expressing interest in supplying their products in Ethiopia and investing in the sector. The number of companies engaged in the assembly and supply of electric vehicles in Ethiopia is also witnessing an annual increase, according to the reports.
State Minister of Transport and Logistics, Bareo Hassen stated that those initiatives are underway to promote electric vehicles within the country and to enhance investment in this sector.
He mentioned that Ethiopia has launched encouraging measures aimed at decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and enabling the transport and logistics sector to leverage the nation's potential renewable energy resources.
In this context, the state minister indicated that efforts are being made to expedite the execution of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy and to render it appealing for investment.
Additionally, he revealed that the government is supporting initiatives focused on converting vehicles powered by fossil fuels to electric alternatives, as well as on technologies that aim to minimize fuel consumption and pollution.
Bareo additionally noted that a range of incentives for investors engaged in the sector has been established through policies and strategies that are yielding favorable outcomes. "The current count of electric vehicles in the country surpasses 115,000, and the number of companies assembling electric vehicles has exceeded 15."
The state minister further indicated that due to the focus Ethiopia has placed on the sector, numerous international electric vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are now expressing significant interest in investing in this sector.
While the existing stations allow drivers to charge vehicles at point of purchase, overall coverage remains limited. He emphasized the need for high-capacity stations capable of serving multiple vehicles simultaneously and offering affordable rates across diverse locations.
Currently, 90 high-capacity stations are providing services in the capital. The city administration has issued directives requiring real estate developers, hotels, parking facilities to incorporate EV charging infrastructure, he stated.
He noted that widespread availability is essential, particularly for residents in communal housing without private parking. The ministry estimates that Addis Ababa will require 1,176 high-capacity stations, while regional cities needing 1,050 more. Nationwide, the ministry projects a need for 2,226 EV charging stations.
Charging stations are also planned at 50 km and 120 km intervals outside the capital to support long-distance travel. Bareo indicated private investors and transport hub operators are expected to play a major role in this expansion. The success of this transition hinges on a reliable and abundant power supply precisely what GERD offers.
The GERD is also crucial for EV rollout, directly addressing charging infrastructure needs and enabling the nation's EV initiatives. By providing reliable and affordable electricity, reduces the cost of charging, and making EVs more accessible and attractive to consumers.
As the Dam reaches full operational capacity, it will provide the consistent, affordable, and green electricity crucial for powering a growing fleet of electric cars, buses and even motorcycles. This not only reduces reliance on costly imported fossil fuels but also significantly curbs air pollution in urban centers, improving public health.
According to reports, the Dam holds immense potential, estimated to be worth over 800 billion USD in economic benefits for the nation in the coming years if properly utilized and developed.
The reports also highlighted that the GERD will create a 260 km artificial lake, providing a clean and uninterrupted power source of 5,150 MW. Beyond energy, the dam is expected to significantly boost fish production and enable the cultivation of 1.2 million hectares of land up to three times a year. Ethiopia is expected to garner permanent and sustainable benefits worth an estimated 800 billion USD from the GERD site over the next decade.
This prediction is supported by examples like China's Three Gorges Dam. Data revealed that China gained over 1.5 trillion USD in benefits from developments spurred by its massive dam and river over the past 10 years alone.
The ripple effect of GERD extends beyond Ethiopia's borders. The Dam's surplus hydropower can be exported to neighboring countries, fostering regional energy cooperation and providing a clean energy backbone for their own nascent EV initiatives.
It's represents a strategic asset, not just for Ethiopia's development but for a greener, more sustainable transportation landscape across a vital African region.
While initial tensions persist, the long term prospects of benefit-sharing from the dam could strengthen regional integration, promoting dialogue and a more collaborative approach to shared resources and development in East Africa. Hence, the Dam also facilitator power diplomacy in East Africa.
COMTEX_468323661/2029/2025-08-26T14:35:11
by Fikadu BELAY
Copyright 2025 The Ethiopian Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
