Ruto Hails Ethopia's New Dam as Africa’s Bold Path to Self-Reliance

President William Ruto hails The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources and shape its destiny.

Congratulating Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Ethiopian people on this remarkable achievement, Ruto acknowledged the benefits the dam offers to Kenya.

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

Funded entirely by the Ethiopian people, The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one of Africa’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure projects—both a symbol of national pride and a geopolitical lightning rod.

Ruto sees this as 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 added.

Ruto has emphasized that no nation should be denied the chance to build transformative assets because, with time, they become shared sources of prosperity. Yet he also struck a diplomatic chord.

“Even as we celebrate, we remain mindful of differing perspectives among Nile Basin countries,” he said. “Kenya reaffirms its support for equitable use of shared waters and urges Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to continue pursuing trilateral talks in good faith. Dialogue and compromise remain the surest path to a fair agreement that safeguards prosperity and stability for all.”

President Ruto graced the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on September 9, 2025, in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region.