Discover the story behind Ethiopia’s monumental energy project — the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Standing 145 metres tall and spanning nearly 2 kilometres, GERD is set to be Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam and a symbol of national pride. Funded entirely by Ethiopia without foreign aid, this $5 billion project promises to transform the country’s energy landscape. But the story doesn’t end there. GERD sits on the Blue Nile, a vital tributary to the Nile River, which flows downstream into the Sudan and Egypt. The dam has sparked regional tensions rooted in colonial-era water agreements. What does GERD mean for the future of Nile water sharing and regional peace?
