Historic Inauguration in Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA – Standing before African and Caribbean dignitaries, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir celebrated the commissioning of Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, calling the 6 000-megawatt project a continental landmark of unity and engineering.
‘This dam is a symbol of unity, sacrifice, and determination,’ Kiir told the crowd, asserting that collective vision can move mountains.
Draft Agreement for Cross-Border Power
He revealed that Juba and Addis Ababa are drafting a bilateral agreement to channel surplus GERD electricity into South Sudan’s grid via high-voltage lines that could stretch over 300 kilometres.
Expected Impact on South Sudanese Communities
Officials in Juba estimate the imports could illuminate schools, clinics, and markets in Warrap, Jonglei, and the capital, where less than 10 percent of households currently enjoy reliable power.
Energy economist Daniel Amol argued that access to cheaper Ethiopian hydropower may reduce diesel dependence, free public funds for health, and spur small-scale manufacturing along the River Nile corridor.
Regional Outlook for Nile Cooperation
Kiir concluded by congratulating Ethiopia and inviting other Nile Basin states to view the GERD as a platform for shared prosperity rather than rivalry.