Ethiopian Official Denies Trumps Allegation Of US Funding For Grand Renaissance Dam
Ethiopian Official Rebuffs Trump’s GERD Funding Claims, Emphasizing Domestic Investment
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – A senior Ethiopian official has firmly refuted claims made by President Donald Trump that the United States significantly funded the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Fikrte Tamir, deputy director of the GERD Coordination Office, on Tuesday labeled Trump’s assertions as “false” and “destructive,” reiterating Ethiopia’s long-standing position that the colossal hydroelectric project was built entirely through domestic means.
Trump, in recent weeks, has repeatedly stated that the controversial dam was constructed “with United States money, largely,” including a post on his Truth Social platform describing it as “stupidly financed by the United States of America.” These remarks have sparked bewilderment and indignation among Ethiopians, who view the GERD as a symbol of national pride and self-reliance.
A Nation’s Undertaking, Not Foreign Aid
For over 14 years, as the GERD took shape to become Africa’s largest hydroelectric plant, Ethiopian authorities have consistently maintained that its financing came from the Ethiopian government and the unwavering contributions of its people. “This dam is entirely the work of Ethiopians, built with Ethiopian resources and contributions from our people,” a senior official told local media, as reported by ChannelAfrica. Fikrte Tamir, of the government-affiliated GERD Coordination Office, underscored this, stating the dam was built “without any foreign aid.”
The funding model for the GERD has been a testament to national unity, with bonds sold to companies, employees pledging salary deductions, and significant donations pouring in from Ethiopia’s vast diaspora. Despite the project running behind its initial six-year schedule and exceeding its projected $4 billion budget, public contributions have continued, with 1.7 billion birr ($12.3 million; £9.1 million) collected in the year leading up to July 7 alone, according to the GERD Coordination Office.
While the Ethiopian government has yet to issue a direct official response to Trump’s recent comments, Ms. Fikrte suggested that a “far-sighted and carefully considered diplomatic procedures” would be appropriate. However, her comments have prompted some Ethiopians to question the extent of the GERD Coordination Office’s knowledge regarding potential government-to-US financial arrangements, given its technically independent status.
A History of Tensions and Trump’s Involvement
The GERD, which began generating electricity in 2022 and reached full completion earlier this month, has been a significant point of contention with downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Both countries, heavily reliant on the Nile’s waters, fear the dam could drastically reduce their share of the vital river.
Trump’s repeated claims of US involvement in the dam’s funding are not new. In 2020, during his previous presidency, he stirred controversy by suggesting that Egypt might “blow up the dam,” a statement that drew strong condemnation from Ethiopia. His vocal support for Egypt’s concerns over the dam is seen by some as tied to broader geopolitical interests and his desire for Egypt to support other international agendas.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, stretching over a mile long and standing 145 meters high on the Blue Nile in the northern Ethiopian highlands, harnesses 85% of the Nile’s waters. For Ethiopia, the dam is a critical project aimed at alleviating severe electricity shortages, with approximately 60% of its population currently without power.
The BBC has reached out to US authorities for further clarification on Trump’s comments regarding the GERD’s funding.
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