KEYIR NEWS - Kenyan President William Ruto has described the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a bold demonstration of Africa’s capacity to finance and deliver transformative projects without external aid.
Speaking at the historic inauguration ceremony of the $5 billion hydropower facility, President Ruto praised the achievement in completing Africa’s largest dam, funded entirely by contributions from its people.
With a projected generating capacity of 6,450 megawatts, GERD is set to become a continental hub of renewable energy.
“For Kenya, this project offers immense promise,” Ruto noted, adding that Nairobi is ready to sign a power purchase agreement with Addis Ababa to offtake surplus electricity.
He said the move would help power Kenya’s industries, ICT hubs, manufacturing, and agro-processing sectors, while boosting competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable growth.
While celebrating the milestone, Ruto also acknowledged the differing perspectives among Nile Basin states. He called on Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to pursue their trilateral negotiations in good faith, stressing that “dialogue and compromise remain the surest path to a fair agreement that safeguards prosperity and stability for all.”
The Kenyan leader joined fellow heads of state and dignitaries, including Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, and African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, in witnessing the inauguration led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.