Adwa Victory & GERD: Two Sides of Same Coin 

Ethiopia has given not only to its citizens but to the black people across the globe a priceless gift by erecting Adwa Victory Memorial in the capital Addis Ababa. The Adwa Victory, which is not merely an Ethiopian treasure rather an African heritage, a beacon of hope for all oppressed peoples worldwide. The victory vividly demonstrates the fact that everything is possible if people work together toward a common goal. 

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is one of the memorials portrayed in the newly constructed Adwa Victory Memorial in the heart of Addis Ababa to show the fact that when people mobilized and organized, they can achieve whatever they wish. 

The Adwa victory has reignited the spirit of unity amongst Ethiopians in realizing the economic emancipation through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). After more than 115 years, Ethiopians once again declared another analogical and historical call to build the largest dam in Africa which effectively symbolizes economic, social, and political and the quest for peaceful development in the spirit of Pan-Africanism. The victory of the Battle of Adwa which triggered the spirit of Pan-Africanism also echoed in the construction of GERD.

The Adwa Victory and GERD are two sides of the same coin.  In 1896, Ethiopians did not just defeat a colonial power; they wrote a new chapter in history, fundamentally altering global perceptions about Africans. Likewise, with GERD Ethiopians stood in unison; defied decades-old erroneous perception from every direction and practically made it a hope for cooperation and integration with the Nile River downstream countries as well as its neighbors.

In addition to that, the Adwa Victory was solely won by Ethiopians without any support from outside. GERD unlike most of the current global grand flagship projects is entirely financed by the Ethiopian people through donation, buying-bond, and so on. It is being built with the blood, sweat and tears of the Ethiopian people from all walks of life. 

The GERD, which is now at the final stage, is expected to provide access to electricity to more than 60 million Ethiopians and provide affordable electricity to the service, industrial and agricultural sectors.

For Ethiopian building the GERD is not a matter of choice, but an economic and developmental necessity and the way to pull out poverty for a nation of 120 million people. It is also pivotal in providing many benefits to the entire Horn of Africa region and beyond as well as accelerating regional integration.

This clearly demonstrates that the current generation of Ethiopia through its leadership is replicating Adwa Victory to ascertaining economic emancipation. 

That is why GERD has been one of the memorials portrayed in the newly constructed Adwa Victory Memorial in the heart of Addis Ababa to show the fact that when people mobilized and organized, they can achieve whatever they wish. 

The newly built Memorial, which absolutely breathtaking in its architectural elegance and commemorates the historic Battle of Adwa, a moment of courage, unity, and victory for Ethiopia serves as a beacon of our past, depicting the commitment, strength and victory of not only the Ethiopian people but also the black people across the globe.  

Both Adwa and GERD convey clear message to the brotherly and sisterly people of Africa that they can genuinely ensure their economic and political independence as well as overcome the present day challenges if they work together to fortify their togetherness by freeing themselves from the centuries-old influence of the superpowers.  

The Adwa Victory Memorial, a monumental project located at the center of the capital, encompasses a museum, meeting halls, amphitheater, library, art gallery, exhibition center, and other facilities, all dedicated to honoring the heroes and heroines of the historic triumph and Africans.