Ethiopia's Mega-Projects Vital to Accelerate Growth, Prosperity: Scholars

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2025 (ENA) -- The large-scale development projects completed, underway, and planned in Ethiopia hold great promise for the nation’s future growth and prosperity, according to Scholars.

They emphasized that the recent completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a landmark achievement, serving as a major driver of the country’s development.

Alongside the dam, the government has announced additional mega-projects, including a world-class fertilizer factory, a new international airport, a nuclear power plant, a gas processing facility, and other large-scale ventures.

In interviews with ENA, scholars from Addis Ababa and Hawassa Universities underlined that these completed and ongoing projects will act as catalysts for Ethiopia’s economic transformation and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

Tafesse Matheos, Vice President for Research and Cooperation at Hawassa University, noted that announcing new projects on the very day the GERD was finalized reflects Ethiopia’s determination to deliver on ambitious plans and its capacity to pursue sustainable growth.

 

He stressed that the ongoing projects, once completed, will secure Ethiopia’s progressive transformation.

Professor Mergessa Kaba of Addis Ababa University’s School of Public Health echoed this view, stating that Ethiopia is destined to achieve greater growth and prosperity once the projects are realized.

 

He added that these initiatives also inspire hope for development across other African nations.

Elias Gudisa, a lecturer at Addis Ababa University, underscored the importance of the government-led mega-projects for both national development and public welfare.

 

He attributed their success to the government’s strong leadership and the active cooperation of the Ethiopian people, while calling for continued unity and commitment.

Professor Tesfaye Semella, Director of the Policy Development and Research Institute at Hawassa University, highlighted the construction of a large fertilizer factory as a game-changer for Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

 

He pointed out that the country spends a significant amount of foreign currency annually on fertilizer imports, and the new factory will provide a sustainable solution to this burden.

Similarly, Mehreteleab Abraham, a lecturer and researcher at Hawassa University, emphasized the broad social, economic, and political benefits of these mega-projects.

 

He also noted their potential to foster regional cooperation and ensure mutual benefits for both Africa and the Middle East.