Looking Inward, Ethiopia Rewrote the Rulebook for African Development

By Molla Mitiku

On September 14, 2025, a monumental celebration in the heart of Addis Ababa marked the conclusion of a journey spanning more than a decade, the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). At Meskel Square, a vast sea of people, united by pride, sacrifice, and collective determination, celebrated the fulfillment of a national dream. More than a rally, the event was a statement of sovereignty and self-reliance. Citizens honored their shared sacrifices, which had transformed a formidable challenge into a symbol of Ethiopia’s rebirth.

Ethiopians believe that the GERD is much more than an engineering triumph;  rather, it represents a new philosophy of African development, one that rejects dependency and insists on self-reliance. Unlike traditional projects that often leave African nations burdened by debt and beholden to external influence, Ethiopia looked out of the box and chose a different path, financing it entirely with domestic resources, a bold decision that challenged the conventional wisdom of development financing on the continent.

When international financial institutions refused to support the project, Ethiopia stood boldly in taking on the challenge alone. All ordinary citizens stepped forward, contributing through bond purchases and contributions. The result was an unprecedented sense of ownership. For millions of Ethiopians, the GERD ceased to be just an infrastructure project; it became a living testament to their collective will and a rejection of the idea that progress must hinge on foreign approval.

At Meskel Square, that spirit was palpable. Elders, teachers, students, and civil servants filled the plaza, their chants echoing: “The Abay River said ‘Yes’ to its motherland!” and “GERD is our destiny!” These cries captured the essence of a triumph built on shared sacrifice. The dam now stands not merely as a physical structure but as an enduring monument to the resilience of the Ethiopian people.

For more than a decade, the GERD has been more than a titanic infrastructure undertaking. It has been a clarion call to unity, an inspiration of resolve, and a bold affirmation of Ethiopia’s sovereign right to shape its own future. Addressing the jubilant crowd, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie described the dam as “not only an engineering masterpiece but also a pillar of national unity and a lasting symbol of Ethiopia’s resolve.”

The story of the GERD is unique on the African continent. Unlike most mega-projects, it was not financed by international donors or development banks. Instead, it was carried by ordinary Ethiopians, farmers, teachers, day laborers, school children, and diaspora communities, who together shouldered the financial burden. The billions of dollars raised domestically turned the GERD into a truly national project, built by the people, for the people.

That sense of ownership was clear in the voices of those who attended the rally. Tizita Shiferaw, who bought bonds to support construction, pledged to continue contributing to future national projects, urging Ethiopian youth to draw inspiration from GERD’s example of hard work and perseverance. Likewise, Elisabeth Tessema stressed the collective spirit of the initiative, affirming that citizens stand ready to rally behind other transformative endeavors.

The road to this moment was far from easy. Ethiopia faced sustained pressure, blocked loans, and threats of sanctions, driven largely by opposition from downstream countries. Yet, instead of capitulating, Ethiopia looked inward. By trusting its own people rather than external benefactors, the nation redrew the rulebook for African development and proved that determination could overcome even the steepest obstacles.

Therefore, the GERD’s completion is more than a national milestone; it is a continental lesson. Ethiopia has shown that when a nation unites behind a common vision, it can chart its own destiny, free from dependency and external dictates.

As a result, the dam secures the country’s energy future. It also brought to Africa a deeper legacy that lies in the development model it has inspired, a blueprint rooted in unity, resilience, and self-reliance. In the words of a popular saying echoed  that goes like “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Ethiopia not only built a dam; it built a vision of African progress that begins at home, fueled by the strength of its own people.