[PHOTOS] Ruto witnesses inauguration of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

The President congratulated PM Abiy Ahmed and the Ethiopian people on the remarkable achievement

by PERPETUA ETYANG

News09 September 2025 - 20:10

In Summary

Ruto said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources.
The President said that Kenya reaffirms its support for equitable use of shared waters and urges Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to continue pursuing trilateral talks in good faith.

President William Ruto on Tuesday joined other leaders in witnessing the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

The president congratulated Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Ethiopian people on the remarkable achievement.

Ruto said that Kenya reaffirms its support for equitable use of shared waters and urges Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to continue pursuing trilateral talks in good faith.

He said that dialogue and compromise remain the surest path to a fair agreement that safeguards prosperity and stability for all.

According to the president, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources and shape its destiny.

“Funded entirely by the Ethiopian people, it is more than an infrastructure project; it is Africa’s largest hydropower facility, with an estimated capacity of 6,450 megawatts, and a continental symbol of self-reliance and progress,” he said.

“For Kenya, it offers immense promise. We are ready to sign a power purchase agreement with Ethiopia to off-take surplus electricity to power our industries, ICT hubs, manufacturing, and agro-processing, while strengthening competitiveness, creating jobs, and driving sustainable growth.”

Ruto added that no nation should be denied the chance to build such transformative assets because, with time, they become shared sources of prosperity.

“Yet, even as we celebrate, we remain mindful of differing perspectives among Nile Basin countries.”

Among other leaders present were Presidents Ismail Oguelleh (Djibouti), Hassan Mohamud (Somalia), Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan); Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mormottley, Prime Minister of Eswatini Russell Mmiso Dlamini and African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.