Addis Ababa, August 11, 2026 (ENA) —House of People’s Representatives (HPR) Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee members and a Saudi Arabia tour operators delegation have held discussion today. During the meeting, the Standing Committee Chairperson Dima Nogo said Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia share long-standing historical ties across various spheres, adding that the relation between the two countries in tourism has also been growing due to the special attention given to the sector by the Ethiopian government.   Highlighting that tourist destinations are being developed to higher standards and that necessary infrastructure is being put in place for visitor convenience, he said the country will work with focus to further expand the sector and elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level. For his part, member of the Saudi delegation team and a social media expert, Ali Dawud, said that Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia enjoy close historical relations and expressed commitment to working jointly to enhance cooperation in tourism. He added that the visit confirmed Ethiopia's dedicated effort toward developing the sector.   Similarly, Alid Ali, a delegation member and manager at Djibouti Airlines, noted observing Ethiopia's focused initiatives to advance tourism, citing the rapid development of recreational parks in Addis Ababa and other tourist sites as prime examples. A member of the group and founder of Trust Travel, Lina Mohammed, said efforts are being made to strengthen ties in tourism, stating that the team will work attentively to promote Ethiopia's tourist attractions and historical heritages globally.

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s future is inseparable from the Abay River and the Red Sea, with both serving as strategic pillars for national development and regional connectivity, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said. Speaking to ENA, the minister described the Abay (Blue Nile) and the Red Sea as two water bodies that have shaped Ethiopia’s history, influenced regional power dynamics, and continue to define the country’s economic and strategic trajectory. “The issue of these two waters should not be viewed simply in terms of whether water exists or not,” Habtamu said. He added that: “It must be understood in a much broader historical, economic, and geopolitical context.” Ethiopia is a major contributor to the Abay Basin, with about 86 percent of the Blue Nile’s flow originating in the Ethiopian highlands.   At the same time, the country has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure peaceful and mutually beneficial access to the Red Sea, a move that has increasingly gained regional and international momuntem. The minister said the wellbeing and future prosperity of Ethiopia’s more than 130 million people are closely linked to both the Abay and the Red Sea. The two water bodies are strategic assets with implications that extend beyond Ethiopia’s borders, he noted. Habtamu recalled that, for decades, Ethiopia was prevented from fully developing and utilizing the Abay River amid external political pressures. “Ethiopians have paid a heavy price because of these two waters,” he said, referring to historical constraints that limited the country’s development aspirations. He described the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a transformative national project that has fundamentally changed Ethiopia’s position. The dam, he said, has enabled the country to realize a long-held national aspiration while strengthening energy security and regional economic integration. GERD is now generating around 5.15 gigawatts of electricity, allowing Ethiopia to meet growing domestic demand and expand electricity exports to neighboring countries. This makes the country a key driver of regional power interconnection. On the Red Sea, the minister said Ethiopia’s current approach is based on diplomacy, peaceful engagement, and the principle of mutual benefit. He argued that the country’s pursuit of sea access should not be viewed as a short-term political agenda but as a strategic national objective that spans generations.   “The Red Sea issue is not the work of a government or a political party,” Habtamu said. He underscored that: “It is a long-term, intergenerational undertaking.” He added that improved Ethiopian access to the Red Sea could contribute not only to the country’s economic transformation but also to regional stability, maritime security, and reduced geopolitical competition in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways. Amid East Africa’s shifting geopolitics, Habtamu said the Abay and Red Sea are interconnected strategic assets vital to Ethiopia’s growth and regional cooperation.

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s rapid infrastructure development and growing openness to foreign investment are strengthening its potential to emerge as a major investment hub in Africa, Fabrizio Grasso, CEO for Africa at Reportage Group, told ENA. Grasso said Ethiopia’s growth is increasingly visible across Addis Ababa, where the scale and speed of ongoing infrastructure development demonstrate the country’s promising prospects. “We believe that Ethiopia will become the center of Africa, not only geographically, but as an international hub under many aspects, plus industrial and not only,” he said in an exclusive interview with ENA. He praised the Ethiopian government’s efforts to attract foreign investment, noting that the country is gradually but quickly opening up to the international market. This opening is creating opportunities for companies such as Reportage to expand into the Ethiopian market. Reportage’s entry into Ethiopia is part of its broader expansion across Africa. The company is currently present in eight countries and is seeking to expand further on the continent, according to Grasso. He said Reportage sees strong potential in Ethiopia’s rapidly growing real estate market and wants to contribute to the country’s development. “Definitely, the real estate market in Ethiopia is growing very, very quickly, and we want to be part of that,” he said. To align its projects with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative, Grasso said Reportage plans to apply its experience in green building and advanced technologies, particularly renewable energy solutions. He said that the company has implemented green-building technologies in projects in Masdar City in the UAE and intends to bring similar approaches to its developments in Ethiopia. Grasso said the company’s first project in Ethiopia is particularly significant, expressing confidence that the development will become a landmark in Addis Ababa. He said Ethiopia holds a special place for Reportage because launching a first project in a new country represents a particularly important moment for the company. The partnership between Reportage Group and the Ethiopian Defense Army Foundation, reached after discussions between the two sides over time, paved the way for the company’s first project in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2026 (ENA) —Friendship Park in the heart of Addis Ababa has become a national model for the new generation of public spaces emerging across Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said Friendship Park has been serving as a catalyst for economic opportunity, social inclusion, and urban transformation, generating nearly one billion Birr in revenue over the past four years. The PM further stated that Friendship Park was among the first multi-purpose public spaces developed under the Medemer Government over the past eight years. The effort has demonstrated how strategic urban investment can generate broad public value, he revealed.   Friendship Park has generated nearly one billion Birr in revenue over the past four years alone while creating employment and economic opportunities through both direct and indirect activities, he pointed out. The park has also evolved into a vibrant civic space that brings together people from all walks of life, including families, children, sports groups, wedding parties, digital content creators, and local and international visitors. Beyond its economic contribution, Friendship Park has become a center for recreation, health, wellness, and community engagement, illustrating how well-planned public spaces can strengthen social cohesion while supporting Addis Ababa’s wider urbanization agenda.   The Prime Minister said the park now serves as a model for similar public spaces being developed across the capital and the country, creating value, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that high-quality urban spaces remain accessible to all citizens.

Staff Writer   August 9, 2026 (ENA) Some weeks are measured by the events they produce. Others are remembered for the direction they reveal. For Ethiopia, the past week was marked by a series of developments that reached far beyond individual announcements. From millions of citizens gathering under heavy rains to plant the seeds of an ecological future, to the country crossing the 50-million mark in its national digital identity system, and from renewed efforts to forge political consensus to a broader campaign against economic crimes, the week offered a picture of a country steadily building the foundations of its next chapter. Across environment, technology, governance, security and infrastructure, a common thread emerged: the pursuit of greater national capacity, resilience and self-reliance. Planting Hope, One Seedling at a Time Perhaps nowhere was the scale of that national mobilization more visible than in Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. In a remarkable 12-hour campaign conducted under the theme “Let Us Plant Hope,” Ethiopia planted more than 805.3 million tree seedlings, setting a new environmental record. The operation covered some 291,400 hectares and brought together an extraordinary 26.2 million citizens across the country. The scale was impressive. But the deeper significance lay in what stood behind the numbers. Millions of Ethiopians turned out despite torrential seasonal rains, transforming what could have been an ordinary environmental campaign into a nationwide demonstration of civic participation and collective responsibility. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed captured the spirit of the day, saying: “Despite the formidable challenge of planting seedlings throughout the day in torrential rains, over 26.2 million Ethiopians stepped forward to plant hope for tomorrow. This extraordinary spirit proves that when we unite around a shared vision, no hurdle is insurmountable.” The achievement also placed the week within the broader trajectory of the Green Legacy Initiative. More than 6.5 billion seedlings have already been planted during the current Ethiopian year, leaving another 1.5 billion to reach the seasonal target of 8 billion seedlings. Yet the initiative is increasingly becoming about more than planting trees. Across regions, government officials and local communities have linked the campaign to soil conservation, watershed rehabilitation, food security and the protection of critical water infrastructure. Cabinet members and regional leaders also used the mobilization to strengthen anti-siltation efforts around dams. What began as a tree-planting campaign is increasingly taking the shape of a national climate-resilience strategy—one that seeks to connect environmental restoration with the country's long-term economic and ecological security. Strengthening Ethiopia’s Digital Frontiers As Ethiopia accelerates its digital transformation, the government is moving to secure the infrastructure underpinning it. This week, the Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Proclamation No. 1426/2026 was highlighted as a major step toward protecting strategic digital systems from growing cyber threats. INSA Director General Tigist Hamid said the law establishes a comprehensive framework for monitoring cyber risks and coordinating responses across 12 critical sectors, including finance, telecommunications, health, energy, water, transport and government services. The proclamation requires critical infrastructure operators to strengthen risk assessments, cyber audits and security governance, while establishing a dedicated cybersecurity fund to support resilience, innovation and skills development. As digital identity, electronic payments and online public services expand, the new framework seeks to ensure that Ethiopia’s digital transformation is matched by stronger protection of its national data, critical systems and digital sovereignty. The Search for Consensus Beyond technology and environmental restoration, Ethiopia's most consequential project remains political: finding a durable framework for national consensus. That effort moved another step forward this week as consultations under the National Dialogue framework brought more than 4,000 delegates representing different sections of society to the Addis International Convention Center. The significance of the gathering lies not merely in the number of participants, but in the difficult questions being placed on the table. Ethiopia's political history has been shaped by competing interpretations of power, identity, representation and economic opportunity. The National Dialogue seeks to move those disagreements from confrontation toward structured discussion—and ultimately toward a political culture capable of managing differences without repeatedly turning them into crises. In an extended broadcast interview, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reflected on the historical roots of popular struggles and the failures that helped produce them. He argued that understanding the past is essential not for perpetuating old divisions, but for addressing the structural problems that produced them. “The historic popular struggles of our past were fundamentally directed at rectifying system-level governance failures and economic marginalization—not at dismantling national unity. True state-building requires us to acknowledge these historical realities while constructively channeling our efforts into building a shared, equitable democratic future.” That distinction is central to the country's search for consensus: recognizing grievances without allowing them to become permanent political fault lines. The challenge now is to translate dialogue into institutions, agreements and a political culture capable of sustaining the country's unity while accommodating its diversity. Protecting the Economic Front Ethiopia’s economic transformation is also facing a battle against the networks seeking to exploit weaknesses in the system. This week, the government launched decisive measures against individuals, businesses and officials accused of corruption and illegal economic activities undermining the ongoing macroeconomic reform. Government Communication Service Minister Enatalem Melese said such networks had contributed to foreign-currency shortages, inflationary pressures, contraband trade and artificial shortages of essential goods. The crackdown has already seen more than 7,000 businesses and warehouses sealed, while 169 people accused of illegal money transfers, hawala activities and black-market currency transactions were brought before the law. Authorities also targeted illicit gold trading, fuel and fertilizer-related corruption, tax fraud, illegal financial flows and unauthorized electricity sales, with hundreds of suspects facing investigation or legal action. The breadth of the operation underscores a central message of the reform agenda: economic transformation requires not only new policies and investment, but also institutions capable of protecting the system from corruption, illicit markets and the misuse of national resources. Energy, Water and the Regional Horizon Ethiopia's infrastructure ambitions continued to intersect with its wider regional role, particularly in energy and water. Following the latest milestones associated with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, water-resource engineers and energy analysts emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum through further hydropower development along the Abay River basin. The argument extends beyond domestic electricity generation. Additional generation capacity, combined with stronger transmission infrastructure, could reinforce Ethiopia's position as a major electricity supplier to neighboring countries and contribute to the gradual integration of East Africa's power markets. The strategic equation is increasingly clear: Ethiopia's water and energy resources are not only national development assets; they can also become instruments of regional economic integration. At the same time, progress in localized clean-water systems and disease-surveillance networks added another dimension to the country's resilience agenda. From public health to environmental protection, the common objective is increasingly one of preparedness—building systems capable of absorbing shocks before they become national crises. A Week That Revealed a Direction Taken separately, the week's developments might appear to belong to entirely different worlds. Tree planting belongs to the environment. Digital identity belongs to technology. National Dialogue belongs to politics. Economic enforcement belongs to security. Hydropower belongs to infrastructure. But viewed together, they tell a more coherent story. They point toward a country seeking to strengthen the foundations of its sovereignty—from the restoration of its land and protection of its water resources to the security of its digital systems, the integrity of its economy and the institutions through which political differences are managed. The most important achievement of such a week, therefore, may not be any single record, platform or consultation. It is the emerging recognition that national transformation requires capacity on every front at once. A greener landscape. A more connected citizenry. Stronger institutions. A more secure economy. Greater energy capacity. And, above all, a political culture capable of turning Ethiopia's diversity from a source of recurring confrontation into a foundation for common purpose. That is what made the week significant. It was not simply a week of milestones. It was a week that offered another glimpse of the Ethiopia being built for tomorrow.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2026 (ENA) —Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora visited GERD today, expressing pride as they witnessed firsthand the scale of the country’s landmark hydropower project. Speaking to Pulse of Africa, the diaspora members hailed the dam as “Ethiopia’s liquid gold.” The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydropower project, has entered operation, marking a major milestone in Ethiopia’s drive to expand electricity generation and meet rising power demand at home and beyond. Members of the Diaspora who traveled from cities including Denver, London, Toronto and Washington described the visit as an emotional moment after years of supporting the project from abroad. More than 50 diaspora members visited the dam, which has served as a powerful rallying point for Ethiopians worldwide since construction began in 2011. Their support has included fundraising, advocacy and international engagement aimed at defending the project and promoting Ethiopia’s development aspirations. For Mamy Worku, who traveled from Denver, Colorado, seeing the GERD in person was difficult to put into words.   “It is beautiful, gigantic, ginormous. I don’t think I have words to explain how excited I am,” she said. Worku called the dam “Ethiopia’s liquid gold,” recalling the sacrifices made by Ethiopians abroad to help finance its construction. She said some diaspora families reduced personal expenses and even sacrificed money intended for gifts to their children to contribute to the project. For Dr. Leulseged Abebe of London, the visit represented the fulfillment of a dream built over years of advocacy. “It is a dream come true,” he said.   Abebe recalled the role played by Ethiopians in the United Kingdom in supporting the GERD, including the creation of the “It Is My Dam” app, a global fundraising initiative that helped channel contributions from Ethiopians around the world. “We have struggled a lot for the completion of the dam,” he said, reflecting on years of campaigning and mobilization. From Toronto, Alfia Ibrahim Abdulahi expressed similar excitement. “It is unbelievable. I can’t believe I am here, and I invite everyone to come and see,” she said. She highlighted the Canadian diaspora’s financial mobilization and stressed the importance of unity in supporting the project.   “Unity is everything,” she said, noting that Ethiopians from diverse ethnic, religious and political backgrounds came together around the GERD. On his part, Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Ambassador Fitsum Arega, said the diaspora’s contribution went far beyond financial support. Ethiopians abroad wrote letters, lobbied U.S. congressmen and senators, mobilized funds and engaged in international advocacy to support the project and communicate Ethiopia’s position to the global community, he said. The ambassador further revealed that diaspora communities mobilized 3.2 million USD after the completion of the project, demonstrating that their commitment to Ethiopia’s development has continued beyond the construction phase.   He said the diaspora’s engagement has also expanded into international promotion and advocacy, helping communicate Ethiopia’s development story abroad and respond to what he described as misinformation surrounding the country and its projects. For many of those visiting the GERD, the towering structure on the Abay River represents much more than electricity generation. It is a physical manifestation of years of sacrifice, fundraising, advocacy and collective determination.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia is strengthening its technical and vocational education system to produce a competitive workforce capable of meeting the demands of both domestic and international labor markets, Labor and Skills Minister Muferihat Kamil said. The minister made the remarks today during a graduation ceremony at the FDRE Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVTI). The minister said the technical and vocational education sector plays an indispensable role in advancing Ethiopia’s comprehensive development. She further noted reforms implemented in recent years have strengthened the sector, particularly in research, education, technology transfer and the development of skill parks.   The sector’s capacity to develop problem solving technologies and equip trainees with skills aligned with labor market demands would enable it to make a greater contribution to the country’s development. She added that additional skill parks and training infrastructure are being developed to help produce graduates who can compete in international labor markets. Addressing the graduates, Muferihat urged them to move beyond seeking employment and focus on creating jobs, emphasizing perseverance, discipline, hard work and patriotism as essential qualities for success. TVTI Director General Biruk Kedir on his part said the institute graduated 1,898 students in various professional programs. He said the institute has introduced new regular and short-term training programs as part of efforts to improve the quality and relevance of technical and vocational education. Biruk also noted the institute is working to establish joint programs with international institutions, with a focus on practical training, skills development, knowledge transfer, technology incubation and vocational education from an early stage.   The institute is also providing training in collaboration with the private sector, including in the fashion industry and other fields, he added. Among the graduates, Asnakech Wondimu said she is determined to create her own employment opportunities rather than rely solely on government jobs. Bizuye Zinabu, a top honors graduate, also said her studies provided extensive practical knowledge in addition to theoretical training and that she plans to serve the country through her profession. Rebika Engel, a graduate from South Sudan, expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government for providing her with a scholarship. She said her experience in Ethiopia offered opportunities beyond academic studies, allowing her to learn about the country’s diverse cultures and traditions.

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the Prosperity Party (PP) will place citizens’ wellbeing and tangible improvements in their daily lives at the center of its priorities over the next five years. In an interview with the Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN), Prime Minister Abiy outlined an ambitious agenda spanning food sovereignty, public services, technology, energy, agriculture and urban development. The Premier revealed that the government will pursue a range of initiatives designed to ensure that the benefits of development reach citizens more directly and improve their quality of life. He identified the ongoing national dialogue as a key instrument for addressing Ethiopia’s longstanding political and social challenges, saying it could help resolve problems that have accumulated over generations and contribute to lasting solutions. The Prime Minister also underscored food sovereignty as a strategic priority for Ethiopia’s economic transformation, both at the regional and national levels. He said the government will intensify efforts to improve public service delivery while taking stronger measures against corruption, theft and inefficiency.   Elected officials, he added, have a responsibility to honor the commitments they made to citizens during the election and deliver meaningful results. Technology, according to Abiy, will be central to this effort. The government plans to expand the use of digital technologies across sectors to make public services more accessible, efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs. Speaking on the nation’s energy ambitions, the Prime Minister highlighted major energy initiatives expected to shape Ethiopia’s development trajectory over the coming years, including the country’s ambition to generate nuclear power for the first time. He described the nuclear energy program as a historic undertaking for Ethiopia and Africa, saying it could lay an important foundation for future generations. Abiy also pointed to Ethiopia’s emerging natural gas sector, noting that the country had pursued the development of its gas resources for decades but had previously struggled to fully utilize them.   He said Ethiopia is now extracting natural gas and developing industries that can use it as an industrial input. Some vehicles previously powered by diesel are also being converted to natural gas, with wider deployment of natural-gas-powered vehicles expected in the coming months. Acknowledging agriculture as central to Ethiopia’s food sovereignty, the Prime Minister said the sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy, livelihoods and national production. He emphasized expanding farmers’ access to fertilizer, irrigation, agricultural machinery and modern technologies to raise productivity and strengthen food sovereignty. Machinery is being imported to support the construction of fertilizer production facilities, while irrigation schemes are being expanded in different parts of the country, he said. The Premier noted that increased land cultivation and cluster farming have already contributed to higher agricultural output, adding that the government will continue to expand these efforts. Expanding irrigation, he stressed, is particularly important to enable farmers to produce throughout the year rather than relying predominantly on seasonal rainfall. Domestic fertilizer production, the PM added, will help reduce dependence on external supplies while strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to meet its agricultural input needs.   The Prime Minister also highlighted Bishoftu International Airport under construction in Bishoftu as a landmark project with significance extending beyond Ethiopia, describing it as a major investment in the country’s future air transport and economic development. On urban development, PM Abiy said the government’s urban modernization and corridor development programs are ultimately aimed at transforming cities and improving the quality of services available to residents. The initiatives are designed to expand access to housing, clean water, electricity, street lighting and other essential services, while bringing education and healthcare facilities closer to communities. Beyond infrastructure, the projects are expected to generate employment, stimulate innovation and create more livable urban environments, he said. Pm Abiy said the experience gained from Addis Ababa’s urban modernization efforts will provide a foundation for transforming cities across Ethiopia’s regions during the next five years.

By Yimer Ayele (from POA) August 9, 2026 (ENA) Contrary to popular belief and the UN's designation of Egypt as water-scarce, the nation possesses immense water potentials that remain largely underreported and misunderstood. Egypt’s water security is often portrayed as precarious, primarily due to its heavy reliance on the Nile River and the challenges posed by climate change and population growth. However, a closer examination reveals a wealth of hidden resources and strategic infrastructure that position Egypt as a water rich nation with significant untapped potential. These resources include the vast reservoirs behind the Aswan High Dam, the immense Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, advancements in desalination technology, and regional cooperation through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Recognizing and harnessing these resources is essential not only for Egypt’s future but also for redefining regional water narratives across Africa and beyond. At the core of Egypt’s water resilience is Lake Nasser, stored behind the Aswan High Dam. This massive reservoir holds approximately 169 billion cubic meters of water, acting as a strategic buffer against both seasonal flooding and periods of drought. The dam’s ability to regulate flow has historically safeguarded Egypt’s agriculture, industry, and domestic water needs. Yet, the story does not end there. Beyond Lake Nasser lies the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS), the world’s largest known fossil water underground reservoir. Spanning over two million square kilometers across Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Chad, the NSAS contains an estimated 150,000 cubic kilometers of water. This underground aquifer is a silent, yet potent, resource that far exceeds the Nile’s discharge over five centuries, representing a strategic reserve that Egypt and neighboring countries can tap into for decades to come. The sheer scale of this resource underscores Egypt’s hidden water wealth and potential for long-term resilience. The aquifer’s existence challenges the narrative of water scarcity and opens avenues for sophisticated, sustainable extraction strategies that can complement surface water sources. In addition to these underground and surface reserves, Egypt has made significant strides in desalination—producing roughly 1.5 to 2 million cubic meters of desalinated water daily. The country has launched a strategic master plan through 2050 that aims to multiply desalination capacity utilizing public-private partnerships, green grants, and coastal expansion projects. The integration of renewable energy, especially solar power, into desalination facilities can be a cornerstone of Egypt’s sustainable water future, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and harness green energy sources. Egypt’s water strategy should also encompass regional cooperation, exemplified by Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This mega hydropower project, while primarily aimed at electricity generation, exemplifies regional collaboration that benefits downstream countries. The dam helps regulate the Blue Nile’s flow, trapping sediments, and reducing downstream siltation that historically degraded reservoirs like Lake Nasser. It also ensures a more consistent water release, reducing extreme floods and droughts and extending reservoir lifespan through sediment trapping. Ethiopia’s focus on hydropower for electricity rather than mass diversion for irrigation exemplifies a sustainable approach that aligns with Egypt’s needs and regional stability. Egypt’s water story must shift to one of resilience, strategic resource management, and regional cooperation. It must shift to a narrative that highlights the immense hidden potential—vast underground aquifers, advanced desalination capacity, and collaborative water governance—that must be communicated globally. The misconception of Egypt as a water-scarce country overlooks these critical resources and innovations. Recognizing and harnessing Egypt’s true water potential is essential for ensuring sustainable development, regional stability, and a resilient future for all. The world must be told the truth: Egypt is not just a water-scarce country but a water-rich nation with enormous, largely untapped resources that can secure its future for generations to come. However, Egypt is actively pursuing massive desert development projects—such as the New Delta agricultural scheme and the new city of Jirian—by shifting the natural course of the Nile and reallocating billions of cubic meters of Nile water to supply new farming and urban areas. The Egyptian desert where Nile waters have been diverted (such as through the Toshka Project or spillways from Lake Nasser) is the Western Desert. This vast arid region experiences extreme heat, leading to high evaporation rates in artificial lakes and open irrigation canals. Egypt must be more transparent not only in the wasteful practice observable in the ways that the northern Africa country is diverting the natural course of the Nile, but also in declaring truth concerning the immense water buried underground across vast area of land.It is spectacular how Egypt managed to bamboozle the whole world, portraying itself as a water-scarce country. It is not!

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian Army Foundation and the real estate developer Reportage Properties have launched a mixed-use development project that blends residential spaces with commercial function. The housing development project rests on 23,000 square meters, with two residential towers that will have 1,086 apartments and about 15,000 square meters of commercial space, recreational facilities, and landscaped green areas, it was learned. Ethiopian Army Foundation Board Chairperson, Martha Luwigi, stated that the project will create employment opportunities, improve living standards, and facilitate the transfer of modern construction technologies and expertise. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, she said the project will contribute to Addis Ababa’s economic and social transformation by stimulating investment and improving the city’s urban landscape. The project is a potential model for future international investment and stronger investor confidence in Ethiopia, Martha added. The Chairperson also highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in implementing major development projects under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. “Project execution, characterized by stronger leadership, effective coordination, close supervision, improved accountability, and more efficient utilization of resources, has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,” she noted. Martha emphasized that international cooperation and partnerships among government institutions, the private sector, international investors and development partners are essential to accelerate sustainable growth, attract quality investment, and facilitate technology and knowledge transfer. Reportage Group Chairman, Aref Ismail Al Khoori, said Ethiopia has “tremendous potential” and that the company is committed to supporting the country’s growth through developments that create value and opportunities. The partnership also reflects growing economic and investment cooperation between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, bringing together an Ethiopian institution and a UAE-based international real estate developer. CEO and Group Managing Director of Reportage, Andrea Nucera, said that the UAE developer already has more than 70 employees in Ethiopia; and “we will be an Ethiopian company operating in Ethiopia”. Reportage Properties operates in 25 countries and employs nearly 15,000 people globally. The company has delivered more than 55,000 units and has about 45,000 units under development, according to the CEO.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) —Many hydropower experts and policy observers are urging Ethiopia to consolidate the momentum created by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by expanding investment in additional mega dams on the Abay (Blue Nile) River. Ethiopia has recently inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydropower plant in Africa and one of the continent’s most significant engineering achievements. Most importantly, Ethiopia’s achievement through GERD has brought about a major shift in the narrative surrounding the Abay (Nile) River, challenging the long-standing dominance that Egypt has sought to maintain over the Nile waters and strengthening the principle of equitable utilization of shared water resources. Ethiopia contributes a substantial share of the Nile waters through the Abay River system, making the river central to the country’s hydropower and development ambitions. For Solomon Zena, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Research Center (PIRC), GERD has vividly demonstrated what Ethiopians can accomplish through unity, and the country must sustain that momentum by building on the critical experience gained from the historic success of the dam. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Solomon said Ethiopia has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to undertake transformative national projects. He added that the successful completion of GERD stands as a powerful example of the country’s determination, resilience, and collective commitment.   The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a major clean-energy project that significantly boosts renewable hydropower generation and serves as a strategic foundation for advancing regional economic integration. According to Solomon, GERD is generating renewable electricity that is not only transforming Ethiopia’s energy sector but also strengthening the country’s climate actions and providing energy that can support regional development. He further elaborated on the significance of GERD in mitigating climate change by producing large-scale renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Solomon stressed that Ethiopia should move forward by sustaining the momentum in developing its water resources, drawing on the valuable institutional, technical, and financial experience gained through the GERD project. “The nation needs to move ahead and build more dams,” he underlined. Solomon added that: “The successful completion of GERD clearly demonstrates what Ethiopians can accomplish through unity and determination.” Ethiopia has recently planned to build additional hydropower and irrigation dams. The plan aimed at accelerating economic development, enhancing food security, expanding electricity generation, and strengthening the country’s leading role in regional integration through cross-border power connectivity. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have continued to oppose Ethiopia’s dam development agenda through diplomatic pressure and public statements. For instance, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, said that Egypt “will not allow” Ethiopia to build new dams on the Nile River.   Many Ethiopian observers viewed the statement as a significant escalation in Egypt’s rhetoric, arguing that such positions seek to constrain the upstream nation’s sovereign right to pursue development projects within its own territory. Moreover, analysts argue that Egypt has sought to build regional political and security partnerships aimed at increasing pressure on Ethiopia over Nile-related issues and broader regional influence. They contend that Cairo has attempted to strengthen anti-Ethiopia’s alignments with regional actors as part of its effort to influence the balance of power surrounding Nile negotiations and broader Horn of Africa geopolitics. It is a public knowledge that Egyptian irredentist and militaristic regime is already organizing and financing military and diplomatic alliances with Sudanese Armed Forces, the Eritrean regime, local extremist and terrorist forces in Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions locally known as Tsimdo in a bid to contain the successful economic, diplomatic and regional and national development programs currently spearheaded by Ethiopia. Egypt is supporting a regional conspirators and sabre rattlers to obstruct the peaceful economic development in Ethiopia and chock the nation from having access to ports and the Red Sea international commercial route open to all countries across the world. This clearly indicates how Egypt has been the major catalyst for military and political instability in the region and more particularly in Sudan. However, Egypt’s increasingly aggressive opposition to Ethiopia’s hydropower ambitions has sparked widespread discontent among Ethiopians, intensifying debates over sovereignty, equitable water utilization, and the right of nations to pursue sustainable development. And Solomon emphasized the need to maintain that momentum by expanding the efforts that produced GERD and by applying the same spirit of national cooperation to future development projects across the economy. “Ethiopia has to keep its momentum as long as the people and the government believe that it promotes development without harming others,” Solomon underscored. “We need to go ahead and do what we did with the Grand Renaissance Dam. I understand that we need more dams,” he added. Energy expert Mikael Alemu also questioned the political framing of Egypt’s opposition to GERD.   “Egypt’s argument on the Grand Renaissance Dam sounds much more political,” Mikael told the Ethiopian News Agency. “It has become a very convenient issue in Egyptian politics,” he said, arguing that domestic political pressures can encourage governments to sustain external disputes. “Frequently, Egypt’s political situation seeks an outside enemy. It is politically useful to have an external adversary when domestic politics becomes challenging,” Mikael argued. For him, the claim that Ethiopia would deliberately seek to deprive Egypt of water is fundamentally irrational. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is widely regarded as indispensable for advancing regional economic integration, expanding renewable energy generation, and strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a major clean-energy hub in East Africa. For many experts and observers, the completion of GERD is not the end of Ethiopia’s hydropower journey but the beginning of a broader strategy to harness the Abay River for sustainable development, energy security, climate resilience, and shared regional prosperity.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) surpassed its annual target by collecting 118.91 billion Birr in revenue during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, the utility disclosed. Generated from electricity sales, new customer connections, and other operational streams, the revenue helped finance infrastructure development, enhance service delivery, and expand access across the nation. Presenting its annual performance report to the media, EEU highlighted key achievements in revenue generation, grid expansion, customer service, digital transformation, and strategic targets for the upcoming fiscal year. Getu Geremew, Chief Executive Officer of EEU, stated that the utility made significant progress across revenue collection, access expansion, service quality, and digital adoption throughout the reporting period. Against a planned revenue target of 115.86 billion Birr, EEU generated 118.91 billion Birr. The utility also contributed 12.39 billion Birr in taxes and government revenues, marking a 56 percent increase compared with the previous fiscal year. Getu noted that total expenditure reached 133.6 billion Birr, covering operations, infrastructure construction, maintenance, and capital investments. Additional internal resources were also mobilized to support network upgrades and capacity expansion. Over the course of the fiscal year, EEU connected 664,505 new customers, bringing its total customer base to 5.88 million. Electricity access was extended to 205 rural towns and villages through both grid and off-grid solutions. The utility expanded its distribution network by 13,269 kilometers and rehabilitated 4,892 kilometers of existing lines. To reinforce grid reliability, it installed 8,834 distribution transformers, adding 1,621 MW of capacity. EEU purchased and distributed 18,319 gigawatt-hours of electricity for domestic and export markets—achieving 100.5 percent of its target and reflecting a 15.5 percent surge in power demand compared with the previous fiscal year. The report highlighted notable strides in digital transformation, with digital payment usage climbing to 95.3 percent. EEU further expanded digital services, introducing smart metering, electronic receipts, and multi-channel self-service platforms. Power reliability improved as the frequency of interruptions declined, driven by routine inspections, proactive maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades. However, operational hurdles such as infrastructure theft, vandalism, power theft, and right-of-way constraints continue to pose challenges. Looking ahead to the 2019 Ethiopian fiscal year, EEU aims to connect 1.1 million new households, extend the distribution network by 12,549 kilometers, electrify 317 rural villages, and boost energy sales volume to 21,331 gigawatt-hours while pursuing further service enhancements.

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2026 (ENA) — Prominent Indian international digital news platform Firstpost has released a major feature detailing Ethiopia’s sweeping economic transformation, underscoring how massive infrastructure investments and key economic reforms are propelling the nation forward as a powerhouse in the Horn of Africa. In a segment dedicated to the nation's development trajectory, the channel highlighted Ethiopia's shift away from historic challenges toward a future powered by multi-sectoral growth spanning energy, aviation, mining, agriculture, and digital technology. The report emphasized the central role of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), identifying it as the foundation of the nation's industrial ambitions. The news feature underscored the dam's unique national character, emphasizing that the project was realized through domestic resource mobilization. "Ethiopia never took a single Birr in terms of aid or loan for constructing the Renaissance Dam," the report highlighted, noting that by exporting clean power to Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan, the nation is turning electricity into vital foreign currency while strengthening regional integration. Turning to the logistics sector, the program highlighted the construction of the 12.5 billion USD Bishoftu International Airport, which is projected to handle up to 110 million passengers and nearly 4 million tons of cargo annually. The initiative aims to solidify Addis Ababa's position as a premier global aviation hub linking Africa with Europe, Asia, and West Asia. "Reports say the new 12.5-billion-dollar Bishoftu International Airport currently under construction will eventually handle up to 110 million passengers every year and nearly 4 million tons of cargo… If completed as planned, it will rank among the largest aviation hubs in the world... designed to position Addis Ababa as a major gateway linking Africa, Europe, Asia, as well as West Asia.", the report said. In the agricultural and industrial sectors, the report drew attention to large-scale efforts toward food self-sufficiency, including a 2.5 billion USD fertilizer project in the Somali region designed to produce 3 million tons of urea annually. It also noted the expansion of gold production through projects like Kurmuk Gold as key drivers for foreign exchange diversification. "Beneath Ethiopia's soil, another economic revolution is underway. The country is expanding its mining industry with projects like Kurmuk Gold emerging as new sources of foreign currency." Furthermore, the broadcast cited structural policy moves that have opened previously restricted sectors—including telecommunications, banking, real estate, and capital markets—to private capital. The feature concluded by affirming that Ethiopia's ambitious project implementation and pragmatic economic policy continue to reshape the broader economic landscape of the continent.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (ENA) — Minister of Mines Habtamu Tegegne said Ethiopia earned more than USD 5.7 billion in foreign currency from the mining sector during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, as the sector continued to expand its contribution to the country’s economic development. The minister disclosed the performance during a review of the mining sector’s achievements in the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year and its plans for the 2019 fiscal year. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Mines, the Ethiopian Geological Institute, and the Mineral Industry Development Institute. Habtamu said the mining sector is one of Ethiopia’s five major economic pillars, noting that it has grown rapidly in recent years. He said gold production remained the main contributor to the sector’s export earnings, with 44 tons of gold produced by mining companies and traditional miners generating USD 5.65 billion in revenue during the concluded fiscal year. The minister said the sector also created permanent employment opportunities for more than 271,000 people during the period, while progress was recorded in mining investment expansion, license issuance, and the production of mineral-based products aimed at reducing dependence on imports. Habtamu also highlighted the start of natural gas extraction in Ethiopia during the fiscal year, saying the resource is currently being used as an input for major ceramic factories. He added that plans are underway to use natural gas for transportation, fertilizer production, and power generation in the future. He further noted that fertilizer and iron smelting factories began operations during the fiscal year, while preparations are underway to bring strategic minerals, including potash, into production. The minister attributed part of the sector’s growth to the transfer of authority to regional states to issue licenses for small-scale mining operations, saying the move helped expand mining activities. For the next fiscal year, the Ministry of Mines has set a target of generating USD 6.7 billion in revenue from the sector, based on the performance recorded in the concluded fiscal year. Ethiopia is endowed with gold and other mineral deposits, and the government has in recent years placed greater emphasis on strengthening mining activities, improving sector management, and increasing the role of mineral resources in economic development.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (ENA) —The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has reaffirmed its commitment to community development through a series of social initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable communities, expanding educational access, and promoting environmental sustainability. The Bank laid the foundation stone for residential homes for internally displaced families in the Awi Zone of Amhara region, distributed educational materials to students, and joined a large-scale tree planting campaign.   In its social media post, NBE underscored its broader commitment to inclusive national development beyond its core financial and monetary responsibilities. Speaking during the visit, NBE Governor, Eyob Tekalgn expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Awi community and emphasized the importance of national unity as a foundation for Ethiopia’s development. “Ethiopians, wherever they may live, take pride in their unity. That unity is one of our greatest strengths and a defining part of our national identity,” he said.   The Governor added that: “The people of Awi have preserved that spirit of unity and resilience, and they stand as a symbol of national strength.” The initiatives form part of the Bank’s wider corporate social responsibility efforts, which focus on strengthening local communities, supporting education, and contributing to environmental restoration across the country, he elaborated. Bazezew Chane, Advisor to the Regional President, told the bank's Corporate Communications and International Relations Directorate that the presence of Eyob Tekalign and the delegation brought immense joy to the local population. “The National Bank of Ethiopia traveled nearly 800 kilometers from Addis Ababa, and then another 30 kilometers beyond the main road, to reach this community. That level of commitment has become a source of great pride for our people,” he said.   Bazezew noted that the area is making steady progress toward peace and development, adding that initiatives supporting displaced families and students help deepen public trust and reinforce social stability. Observers say the NBE’s engagement reflects a growing recognition that national institutions can play a meaningful role in advancing social cohesion, environmental resilience, and equitable development alongside their institutional mandates. The Bank said its community-focused initiatives are intended to contribute to Ethiopia’s long-term development agenda by supporting vulnerable populations, strengthening local partnerships, and fostering sustainable growth across the country.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (ENA) —African countries need to exchange experiences and build solutions to address the challenge toward food self-sufficiency while leveraging all the capacities and abundant natural resources of the continent, former African Union (AU) Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Sacko, said. Speaking to ENA, the former AU commissioner said food security continues to be one of the persistent challenges across Africa. The AU Agenda 2063 includes a target to end hunger, but progress has not matched expectations, she added. The former commissioner pointed out that the African agricultural models must evolve beyond traditional approaches, especially as African nations continue to face major shocks that have affected food systems due to reliance on imports. In addition, she highlighted the role of inter-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that agricultural products make up about 70 percent of intra-African trade. Expanding trade between surplus and deficit countries can help create jobs while improving food security and reducing hunger and poverty. Sacko further stressed that Africa cannot address its challenges alone. She therefore called for stronger partnerships with multilateral organizations while also emphasizing domestic resource mobilization. In her view, African countries must take greater responsibility for their own projects rather than relying entirely on external aid. “Africa has a lot of potential to take its destiny in its hand,” the former commissioner said, emphasizing that sovereignty and ownership are essential to long-term progress. According to her, Ethiopia’s progress toward food self-sufficiency and environmental conservation efforts is commendable and replicable Sacko commended the country for shifting away from wheat imports. “On this matter, I can congratulate Ethiopia on its progress in its agricultural productivity. It particularly did a lot on wheat production. Today, you are not importing wheat. You are exporting.” The former commissioner also pointed to Ethiopia’s environmental efforts, including the tree planting programs under the Green Legacy Initiative, describing it as an encouraging and a model that other African countries should study and replicate. “Ethiopia is doing so well in terms of planting tree. It is exemplary for other African countries who should learn and practice,” she concluded.

Addis Ababa, August 6, 2026 (ENA) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated a new terminal at Bahir Dar Dejazmach Belay Zeleke International Airport, marking a pivotal milestone for one of Ethiopia's primary aviation gateways. The modern facility is set to dramatically enhance the regional transport landscape and serve as an engine for economic growth. Reflecting on the achievement, Prime Minister Abiy noted that the project represents far more than upgraded infrastructure. He described the terminal as a powerful symbol of resilience, recovery, and forward-looking investment. The expanded terminal boosts overall passenger capacity and modernizes the airport's surrounding infrastructure, incorporating upgraded aircraft facilities, improved access roads, and enhanced passenger amenities. Coupled with ongoing urban transformation projects across Bahir Dar, the newly expanded facility positions the city as a crucial hub for both domestic and international air travel. The Prime Minister, addressing officials, community elders, and residents during the inaugural event, reflected on Bahir Dar's rich heritage, describing it as a city blessed with extraordinary natural beauty and history. He emphasized its legacy as a vital trade bridge connecting regions like Shewa and Welega to the northern expanses of Gondar for over a century. Highlighting recent projets such as the Gorgora Resort, Felge Ghion, and the enhanced maritime transport on Lake Tana underscore the area's massive tourism potential, Prime Minister Abiy noted. He observed that strategic public investments alongside growing private sector initiatives are revitalizing access to the region’s historical islands and cultural heritage sites. Beyond tourism, PM Abiy pointed to broader infrastructural strides, including the establishment of an industrial park, top-tier intra-city road designs, iconic bridges, ongoing corridor development, and an upcoming stadium in Bahir Dar. He also commended the judicial reforms undertaken by the Amhara Regional Supreme Court, praising its deployment of virtual courtroom systems to streamline access to justice across the region. As the country's second-largest airport terminal after Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the new facility stands as a major victory for Ethiopian Airlines, the Amhara region, and the nation as a whole, he elaborated. However, Prime Minister Abiy stressed that sustaining this momentum relies heavily on addressing two fundamental pillars through continuous efforts. The first critical imperative involves expanding municipal revenue to maintain and build upon these investments. Despite hosting premier infrastructure, Bahir Dar city currently ranks seventh among Ethiopian cities in revenue generation, he stated. To keep new green spaces, corridor developments, and public services operating seamlessly, local financial capacity must grow to reflect the city's modern stance, transforming Bahir Dar into an economically self-sustaining hub for visitors and investors alike, he added. The second indispensable requirement is preserving regional peace, without which long-term economic prosperity and vibrant tourism cannot flourish, the PM stressed.

Addis Ababa, August 5, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s digital transformation is an exemplary model that other African countries can learn from, Benin’s Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Mahuna Akplogan revealed. Akplogan, who led a Beninese delegation, made the remarks after visiting the Modern Ethiopian Service for Organized Benefits (MESOB) and National ID service centers. According to the minister, the visit is part of the growing cooperation between Ethiopia and Benin in technology and digital innovation. It focused on sharing experiences and strengthening institutional partnerships on the development, expansion and accessibility of digital public services for citizens and businesses, he added. Speaking to journalists, the minister described Ethiopia’s digital transformation efforts as a “textbook case” for Africa. He further elaborated that Benin is interested in learning from Ethiopia’s experience and adopting best practices in digital service delivery. “Ethiopia has recently demonstrated that the country has been able to be very effective in digital transformation and in innovating the services offered to citizens,” he said.   The minister also said Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy provided a strong foundation for the country’s digital advancement, paving the way for Digital Ethiopia 2030, which sets more ambitious objectives. He also added that Benin aims to understand Ethiopia’s approach to digital transformation while exploring areas of cooperation between the two countries. “The two countries are entering a phase of learning from one another and exploring broader areas of cooperation,” Akplogan noted. MESOB Service CEO Yonas Alemayehu on his part said that the visit provided an opportunity to share Ethiopia’s experience in building an integrated digital government service platform.   MESOB has evolved within a year from a one-stop service center into a unified digital platform and is preparing to launch a self-service smart MESOB system, he emphasized. Yonas said the Beninese delegation showed particular interest in MESOB’s institutional integration model, which they identified as a possible approach to addressing similar challenges in their own digital service systems. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s National ID Executive Director Yodahe Zemichael also noted that the delegation learned about Ethiopia’s experience in building domestic technological capacity for digital identity services. According to him, the initiative aligns with the African Union’s vision of facilitating the movement of people across the continent and supporting trade and economic integration.   Yodahe added that discussions were held on possible future cooperation between Ethiopia and Benin in digital identity and other technology-driven projects. The visit underscored the growing partnership between the two countries and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in digital transformation, innovation, technology development and knowledge exchange.

Addis Ababa, August 5, 2026 (ENA) —Egyptian authorities have intensified their media campaign against the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to divert domestic economic and political pressures, President of Ethiopian Institute for Public Diplomacy (EIPD), Yassin Ahmed told ENA. The renewed focus on the dam is aimed at diverting public attention from economic and livelihood challenges facing the Egyptian people, he underscored. Yassin said the GERD issue has increasingly become a political and media tool for domestic consumption in Egypt rather than a matter centered on water resource management. He stressed that Ethiopia’s disagreement is not with the Egyptian people but with policies pursued by successive Egyptian governments, which he said have not been based on partnership, cooperation, and regional integration. "The GERD is now being used domestically in Egypt to distract the Egyptian people from the country's internal and regional challenges," Yassin said, adding that Egyptian authorities revive the issue whenever economic, political, and security pressures intensify.   He said the Egyptian government has attempted to associate the GERD with challenges unrelated to the project, including flooding and declining water levels, while noting that some Sudanese experts have attributed such issues to dam management practices in Sudan. According to Yassin, the GERD has become "a scapegoat" used by Egyptian authorities to shift responsibility for domestic and regional challenges as part of a political and media campaign against the project. He also alleged that Egypt has benefited from the circumstances created by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has limited Khartoum’s ability to fully utilize its allocated share of Nile waters, leaving a significant portion stored behind Egypt’s High Aswan Dam. Yassin referred to previous remarks by Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam regarding the strategic reserves of the High Aswan Dam, saying these statements indicate, in his view, that Egypt does not face an immediate water security threat from the GERD. "The GERD has become a political and media card used to pressure Ethiopia. Whenever Ethiopia makes progress in convincing the international community of its legitimate rights, Egypt resorts to the GERD issue to tarnish Ethiopia's image and demonize the dam," he said. He further claimed that renewed attention to the GERD coincides with Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts to promote its positions on regional issues, including what he described as Ethiopia’s legal and historical right to access the sea.   Yassin said Cairo has sought to reactivate the GERD dispute to weaken Ethiopia’s position and exert pressure in broader regional matters. He emphasized that the GERD is a strategic development project designed to support regional integration, provide electricity to neighboring countries, and advance shared interests among Nile Basin countries, rejecting claims that the dam threatens downstream nations. The EIPD president also argued that Egypt’s continued refusal to resume negotiations serves political and media objectives by keeping the issue unresolved and diverting attention from domestic economic and social challenges. He stressed that Nile Basin issues should be addressed through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect rather than political pressure and media campaigns. "Ethiopia remains committed to pursuing shared development and mutual benefit for the region," Yassin underscored.

Addis Ababa, August 5, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia is well positioned to become Africa's future energy hub by harnessing its vast renewable energy resources, extensive hydropower expertise, and expanding regional electricity interconnections, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said. In an exclusive interview with ENA, the minister said Ethiopia has an estimated 60 gigawatts of hydropower generation potential, only a fraction of which has been developed, leaving significant room for future expansion. According to Habtamu, the country's favorable topography and abundant water resources provide a strong comparative advantage over many neighboring countries, several of which have limited hydropower potential and continue to depend on diesel-generated electricity. "Ethiopia is fortunate to possess the natural resources and geographical conditions needed to generate large-scale renewable energy," he said. "These advantages place the country in a strategic position to supply clean energy across the region." The minister noted that Ethiopia has emerged as one of Africa's leading producers of renewable electricity, with hydropower accounting for the vast majority of its power generation. He added that Ethiopia currently exports electricity to Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya, while working to expand power interconnections with additional neighboring countries. Habtamu said the country's decades of experience in developing and operating major hydropower projects, including Melka Wakena, Koka, Tekeze, Fincha and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), have enabled it to build strong technical and institutional expertise that distinguishes it within the region. He stressed that hydropower remains one of the cleanest and most cost-effective sources of electricity, producing energy without carbon emissions while supporting Ethiopia's climate and sustainable development objectives. Beyond hydropower, Ethiopia also possesses substantial solar, wind and geothermal resources, the minister said. "By combining these resources, Ethiopia can become not only the energy hub of East Africa but ultimately the energy hub of the African continent," he stated. Habtamu observed that rising electricity demand across neighboring countries further strengthens Ethiopia's strategic position, noting that regional nations can significantly improve access to reliable and clean energy through cross-border electricity interconnections. He also said demand for Ethiopian electricity continues to grow alongside rapidly increasing domestic consumption, driven by industrial expansion, urbanization and the country's transition to electric mobility. "The assignment before us is clear. We must continue building more dams and generating more electricity," the minister said. "Our responsibility is first to meet Ethiopia's growing energy needs and then to supply our neighbors." The minister further noted that recent geopolitical developments have underscored the strategic importance of water and energy resources, with competition over these assets increasingly shaping global affairs. He said Ethiopia is strengthening its energy security by accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity, including expanding the use of electric vehicles to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. According to Habtamu, scaling up electric mobility requires sustained investment in electricity generation, transmission infrastructure and nationwide charging networks. To support this transition, Ethiopia has revised its National Energy Policy to encourage greater private sector participation in the energy sector, he said. The revised policy, recently approved by the Council of Ministers and endorsed by Parliament, provides a more favorable framework for private investment in power generation, transmission and renewable energy development. Habtamu said increased private sector participation will help meet rising domestic electricity demand, strengthen resilience against global energy market shocks and expand electricity exports to neighboring countries, further reinforcing Ethiopia's role as a regional supplier of clean energy. As part of the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, Ethiopia has introduced wide-ranging policy reforms to liberalize the energy sector and attract private investment. The reforms could accelerate renewable energy development, expand electricity infrastructure, advance the transition to electric mobility, meet growing domestic demand, deepen regional energy integration and support Africa's broader transition to clean energy.