On March 21, 2025, at Addis Ababa, UNECA Regional Integration and Trade Division Director Stephen Karingi stated that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) plays a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
During an exclusive interview with ENA, the director highlighted that the GERD aligns with the goals of AfCFTA by tackling energy shortages in Southern and East Africa, facilitating power trade, and energizing industrial activities.
"In light of the energy deficits observed in Southern Africa and certain regions of East Africa, the investments facilitated via this dam provide an avenue for trading electricity as well as powering industrial activities in nations aiming to benefit from the AfCFTA. Consequently, the dam serves as both a catalyst and a facilitator for maximizing the potential of the AfCFTA," he noted.
Moreover, Karingi highlighted the rising significance of renewable energy for enhancing industrial competitiveness, observing that carbon emissions will play an escalating role in shaping international trade dynamics.
He believes that GERD could help tackle energy deficits and enhance manufacturing throughout Africa.
The capability of Ethiopia to supply electricity generated from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to energy-starved nations in East Africa through the East African Power Pool could have a significant impact, he mentioned additionally.
For example, the 500-kilovolt link between Ethiopia and Kenya is crucial as it connects the East African Power Pool with the Southern African Power Pool, enabling wider electricity trade.
Karingi stated that a 500-kilovolt transmission line now connects Ethiopia with Kenya, offering an avenue to direct power from Ethiopia into the East African Power Pool and subsequently integrate it with the Southern African Power Pool.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is intended to produce roughly 15,759 gigawatt-hours of yearly power. Its flow rate stands at 1,547 cubic meters per second.
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