ADDIS ABABA / GUBA, BENISHANGUL-GUMUZ — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will be opened for public visits “in the coming weeks,” signaling a new phase for Africa’s largest hydropower project: from nation-building icon to national attraction. The announcement comes as Ethiopia prepares formal inauguration events for September, after the government declared the dam “complete” in early July.
What’s new
- The PM’s on-site remarks—delivered during a visit to the GERD with Social Affairs Adviser Deacon Daniel Kibret—framed public access as both symbolic and economic: allowing Ethiopians (and the diaspora) to see the country’s most ambitious infrastructure up close. Operational specifics (ticketing, security, hours, and routes) have not yet been published at the time of writing.
- The opening dovetails with plans to inaugurate GERD this month, following the July statement that construction is finished.
Why this matters
Tourism as a second dividend. Hydropower mega-projects worldwide routinely evolve into visitor magnets with museums, guided tours, and viewing platforms. If Ethiopia gets the visitor experience right—safe access, engaging storytelling, and reliable transport—GERD’s lake, viewpoints, and surrounding highlands could become a year-round draw alongside the country’s historic circuits.
No Comment Found.