It is “the birth of a new era,” said Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed as he presided over the launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), a controversial multi-billion dollar project. “This is good news for our continent and for the downstream countries we aspire to work with,” he tweeted.
Accompanied by many of the country’s top officials, Ahmed toured the power plant and clicked a series of switches on an electronic screen to trigger the dam’s production.
“Although this great dam was built by Ethiopians, it was done so to benefit all our African brothers and sisters,” said a senior official attending the inauguration. “This day, for which Ethiopians have sacrificed so much, hoped so much, and prayed so much, is finally here,” he added.
At the project’s launch, every civil servant was asked to contribute one month’s salary towards financing the dam. Subsequently, many
There's more to this story
Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.
cancel anytime
Already a a subscriber Sign In
