The Birth of Ethiopia’s GERD Dam: From Haile Selassie to Crowdfunding and Beyond

The Birth of Ethiopia’s GERD Dam: From Haile Selassie to Crowdfunding and Beyond

Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile, is more than just concrete and turbines. It's a symbol of national aspiration, economic independence, and a complex geopolitical balancing act. Understanding the GERD requires looking back at its long and winding history, a story interwoven with Ethiopian dreams, political shifts, and international relations. The Dream Takes Root: Haile Selassie's Vision The idea of harnessing the Blue Nile's power isn't new. As early as 1964, Emperor Haile Selassie commissioned initial studies exploring the possibility of building a dam on the river. This was a time of modernization efforts in Ethiopia, and hydroelectric power was seen as a key to industrial development and improved living standards. Although these early plans weren't realized due to political instability and financial constraints, they laid the groundwork for future endeavors. The seed of a nation's ambition…