Al Mariam Hails GERD as ‘Crown of Africa’ After Diaspora Visit

Addis Ababa, August 12, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopian American scholar Emeritus Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam has described the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as “the crown of the earth and the crown of Africa” following a visit to the landmark project with members of the Ethiopian diaspora.

Al Mariam made the remarks in a post on his X page after visiting the GERD in the Benishangul Gumuz Region with diaspora members who attended the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference.

The delegation visited the dam last weekend as part of a trip organized by the Ethiopian Diaspora Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

For many participants, the visit was their first opportunity to see the project, which has become one of Ethiopia’s most prominent symbols of national development and self-reliance.

Reflecting on the visit, Al Mariam said he had witnessed the transformation of the project from an unfinished construction site into what he described as one of Africa’s significant infrastructure achievements.

“I saw the GERD when the site was little more than a dumpsite filled with rusted metal, equipment, and machinery, with construction virtually halted,” he said.

He added that he had since watched the project rise into “the crown of the earth and the crown of Africa.”

The delegation also toured the surrounding landscape, including the vast reservoir and the GERD Saddle Dam.

Al Mariam highlighted the natural beauty of Benishangul Gumuz, particularly its forests, wildlife and riverine landscapes, saying the area has considerable potential for tourism development.

Built on the Abay River, the GERD rises more than 145 meters and stretches nearly two kilometers across the riverbed.

Its reservoir has a storage capacity of more than 70 billion cubic meters, while the dam has an installed electricity generating capacity of 5,150 megawatts.

Beyond its power generation capacity, Al Mariam said the GERD represents the collective contribution of Ethiopians at home and abroad.

He noted that farmers, workers, students, civil servants, businesses and members of the diaspora contributed to the project through bond purchases, donations and fundraising campaigns.

“The dam became an expression of national ownership in the fullest sense that Ethiopians were not merely waiting for development to arrive; they were financing and building it themselves,” he said.

He described the GERD as a symbol of perseverance and self reliance, noting that Ethiopia continued construction despite challenges in securing international financing.

The dam was officially inaugurated on September 9, 2025, following 14 years of construction. Al Mariam said the project has since become a major pillar of Ethiopia’s electricity generation capacity and regional power ambitions.

He said the GERD is expected to support Ethiopia’s electrification, industrialization and economic development while enabling increased electricity exports to neighboring countries.

Ethiopia currently exports electricity to Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania, while discussions are underway to expand electricity exports to other countries in the region.

Al Mariam also urged Ethiopia to develop the GERD and its surrounding areas as a major tourism destination through investment in roads, accommodation, environmental conservation and community-based tourism.

“A visit to the GERD is far more than an ordinary sightseeing excursion. It is a pilgrimage to the beating heart of modern Ethiopian pride and perseverance,” he said.

Reflecting on the visit, Al Mariam said the experience strengthened his belief in Ethiopia’s development potential.

“To stand before the awesome GERD is to witness the meeting of ancient geography and modern ambition,” he said, adding that the project demonstrates “what unity and determination can achieve.”

He expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Ministry of Tourism, GERD management and staff, Ethiopian Airlines personnel and others involved in organizing the visit.

Al Mariam concluded by describing the GERD as a living symbol of Ethiopia’s aspirations, resilience and confidence in its future.