Addis Ababa, April 10, 2025 (FMC) — The economic impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is beyond Ethiopia and would significantly stimulate economies and foster integration in the region, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) Deputy Executive Director, Bereket Diriba said.
Bereket emphasized that the completion of GERD would have a transformative impact on neighboring countries by enhancing development opportunities.
The deputy executive director added that the GERD is a pivotal project to advance regional economic integration, particularly in the context of hydropower infrastructure development.
The dam would play a crucial role in facilitating this integration through improved energy access, he noted, stressing the capacity of the dam to generate electricity would unlock immense opportunities for collaboration and development across the region.
“GERD enhances the regional economic integration which Ethiopia has already been undergoing with countries of the region particularly in infrastructure development.
When the dam completes soon and begins to fully generate electric power, it will bring immense opportunity for countries of the region,” he stated.
With the completion of the GERD, Bereket expressed optimism about the potential for increased investment in the manufacturing sector within the region that additional power generated by the dam is anticipated to alleviate prevalent power shortages, creating a more conducive environment for industrial development.
In turn, GERD would attract foreign and domestic investors, thereby stimulating economies of the region, the deputy executive director noted.
For him, this would result in far-reaching economic implications for all countries in the region.
“GERD would bring opportunities for investors in the manufacturing sector and promote industrial development for countries of the region as it would solve power shortages. Hence, the dam is a grand project that stimulates economies of the region,” he stated.
By addressing energy deficits, Bereket further stated that GERD would enable neighboring nations to harness their own development potential, fostering a collective economic uplift that benefits the entire region.
Moreover, Bereket expressed his belief that neighbours would support Ethiopia’s development endeavors, recognizing that shared interests that arise from enhanced energy production and distribution is crucial for ensuring sustained economic progress and stability in the region.
In this regard, GERD is not just a flagship project but a transformative force for regional development and integration, he told ENA.
He also underlined the future of regional economic integration looks promising as Ethiopia and its neighbors work together to harness the opportunities that lie ahead.