• Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam constructed along the Blue Nile has sparked both regional and geopolitical anxiety 
  • However from the statement published on his social media the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reassured that: “the Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity.

The Blue Nile River remains a vital water source for multiple countries in the region- most notably Egypt and Sudan. Egypt, with its arid climate and limited rainfall, depends on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater needs, making it central for agriculture, industry and daily life. 

A 2019 study published in the Journal Earth Future warned that annual water demand in the Nile basin could soon exceed supply driven by population growth climate change and competing national interests.

At the heart of the tension is Ethiopia’s grand Ethiopian renaissance dam constructed along the Blue Nile – a project that has sparked both regional and geopolitical anxiety.

Ethiopian officials hail the dam set to be inaugurated on September 9, 2025 as a symbol of national progress.

It is designed to generate over 6000 megawatts of electricity. Therefore positioning Ethiopia as a regional energy exporter to neighbours like Kenya, and Djibouti With nearly 60 million Ethiopians, lacking reliable electricity GERD promises to reduce dependence on polluting fuels such as wood and charcoal. 

However, GERD massive reservoir – capable of holding 74 billion cubic meters of water – has raised alarm in Egypt . Experts like Prof Abbas Sharaky , a geologist at Cairo University argue that the dams filling process could later become a huge loss for them. 

Egypt currently uses about 55.5 billion cubic meters annually and with no alternative freshwater source, any reduction poses a serious threat to its agricultural sector and food security.

However from the statement published on his social media the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reassured that: “the Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity. It is a symbol of regional cooperation and mutual benefit.“