Africa's Largest Dam Crucial to Realize Regional Integration, Says Afreximbank Managing Director

Addis Ababa, November 7, 2025 (ENA) – GERD is imperative to ensure regional integration, drive towards sustainable growth and to transform the continent, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Operations Managing Director Kwabena Ayirebi said.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa, is expected to facilitate regional energy integration through power exports and promote stability, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Banking Operations Managing Director said Ethiopia is one of the largest countries on the continent with a very rich history.

And it is imperative that countries such as Ethiopia drive a transformation in the continent, he noted, adding that “when we have the large economies around the continent, when they grow, when they achieve that transformation, it has a trickle effect on the surrounding countries”. 

Noting the significant potential of the dam, Ayirebi expressed his expectation to see Ethiopia making significant strides in industrialization and manufacturing across the continent feeding into the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It all looks really quite positive, and the African Export-Import Bank looks for opportunities to support this transformation, the Banking Operations Managing Director stated. 

According to him, it is good to see countries taking ownership of changing the energy landscape of their countries.

“We think that energy independence has a significant potential to accelerate the economic reforms that the country (Ethiopia) is doing.”

For the Banking Operations Managing Director, energy independence is quite imperative across the continent, which is critical to drive towards sustainable growth.

“There is no way we can transform this continent without energy, and that is why projects like that are so important,” he pointed out.

Ayirebi reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to continue to be a strong partner for Ethiopia and to participate in the industrial transformation of the country.

“We look to continue to be a strong partner for this country,” he underscored.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is critical to realize regional integration through its provision of clean, renewable energy which is intended to power economic development and reduce reliance on imported fuels in the region.