GERD Great Example of Infrastructure Integration in Africa: CPRTIIT Bureau Outgoing Chair

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (ENA) - The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a great example of infrastructure integration and realization of energy sovereignty in Africa, Committee on Private Sector Development, Regional Integration, Trade, Infrastructure, Industry and Technology (CPRTIIT) Bureau outgoing Chair, Mamadjam Dinis Djalo, said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Committee on Private Sector Development, Regional Integration, Trade, Infrastructure, Industry and Technology (CPRTIIT) Chair noted that GERD is a great example of infrastructure integration.

“We must encourage a project of this kind of dam (GERD) in Ethiopia to multiply it. I think the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a great example of infrastructure integration to serve not just the country itself but made in a way that serves an integrated project.”

GERD is critical to realize regional integration through its provision of clean and renewable energy that is intended to power economic development and reduce reliance on imported fuels in the region.

For Djalo, energy sovereignty of the African continent is instrumental to realize its long-term development and growth ambitions.

“If you have energy sovereignty, you must have food sovereignty; and we are talking about all aspects of our life. So, we commend Ethiopia for that and we encourage them to do more in that sense.”

He added that projects like GERD are critical to improve above all the livelihood of its people and the people of the continent. 

Similarly, Djalo said that his country Guinea-Bissau has an infrastructure project (OMVG) that connects Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Conakry.

The OMVG Infrastructure Project (Organization pour la Mise en Valeur du fleuve Gambie, or Gambia River Basin Development Organization) is a major regional initiative in West Africa aimed at increasing electricity supply and trade among its four member countries.

The outgoing chair believes that the connectivity to logistics, transport, and energy are fundamental for realizing integration across the continent. 

Today’s economy is fueled by energy, by integration and industry and all that needs energy and technology to function, Djalo stressed, adding that it is essential that Africa builds upon energy infrastructure that can be beneficial to the entire continent.

In this regard, the GERD is crucial in realizing 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.

Above all, this largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa is expected to facilitate regional energy integration through power exports and promote stability, cooperation, and shared prosperity.