Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said a multibillion-dollar mega dam on the Blue Nile, which has caused deep consternation to downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan over its effect on their water supply, is complete and will be officially inaugurated in September. Of that regional concern over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Abiy said on Thursday in an address to parliament: “To our neighbours downstream – Egypt and Sudan – our message is clear: the Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity … The energy and development it will generate stand to uplift not just Ethiopia.” Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns about GERD’s operation, fearing it could threaten their access to vital Nile waters. Negotiations to reach a three-way agreement with Ethiopia have failed to make a breakthrough. Egypt, which is already suffering from severe water scarcity, sees the dam as an existential threat, as the country relies on the Nile for 97 percent of its water needs. The GERD, launched in 2011 with a $4bn budget, is considered Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, stretching 1.8km (about one mile) wide and 145 metres (475ft) high.

Full report : Sudan and Egypt are concerned about its effect on their water supply, but Ethiopia says the dam will benefit them all.