Ethiopia’s Green Development Appeals to Sustainability-Oriented Businesses, Inspires African Nations: CEO

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s ability to leverage renewable energy and self-funded infrastructure is not only attracting sustainability businesses but also serving as an inspiration for the rest of Africa, ESG360 CEO and Managing Director Bethlehem Hailu said.

Speaking to ENA on the sidelines of the 36th African Hydro Symposium in Addis Ababa, Bethlehem noted that Ethiopia’s hydropower plants—most notably the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)—are pivotal to climate action. By providing clean electricity, these projects substantially reduce carbon emissions.

When a country’s electricity supply is predominantly derived from hydropower, it diminishes reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources, she explained.

According to her, this shift makes Ethiopia an attractive destination for corporations committed to lowering their environmental footprint and meeting rigorous sustainability targets.

She further pointed to Ethiopia’s nationwide tree-planting initiatives and its investment in human capital as essential, complementary pillars of the country’s broader sustainability strategy.

Bethlehem highlighted that the "GERD model" of domestic financing serves as a transformative lesson for the continent.

She noted that by funding such a massive project internally, Ethiopia has encouraged other African nations to explore their own financing capacities rather than relying solely on international aid.

Echoing these sentiments, Lioko Sitali, Director of Transmission Operations and Trade at ZESCO Limited, stated that Ethiopia’s GERD experience offers invaluable insights for African nations planning similar energy infrastructure.

Inspired by Ethiopia's experience with GERD, he said his delegation came to learn from the country's implementation of the large-scale project, adding that the knowledge gained could help facilitate similar initiatives in other African countries.

Held under the theme "Climate-Resilient Hydropower and Water-Energy Security in Africa," the four-day symposium brings together governments, utilities, financiers, developers and researchers from Africa and beyond to discuss sustainable hydropower development and the continent's energy security.