Inaugurated on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)—Africa’s largest hydroelectric project—is described by Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, the Italian company that built the project, as more than infrastructure: a symbol of sustainable development and regional integration and a test case for Italy’s Mattei Plan in Africa.
Decoding the news. Inaugurated on Tuesday, GERD comes after years of controversy and regional tensions between Ethiopia, Sudan and especially Egypt, and now could bring broad benefits as a central player in Africa’s energy landscape
- GERD will double Ethiopia’s energy capacity with over 5,000 MW installed – the equivalent of three nuclear power plants.
- The project positions Ethiopia as an energy hub for East Africa, enabling electricity exports to Sudan, Djibouti, Tanzania, and Yemen.
- For Italy, GERD illustrates how the Mattei Plan can translate into genuine partnerships: combining infrastructure, industrial development and access to essential services.
The context. Construction began in 2011 in one of the continent’s most remote areas.
- The project required diverting the Blue Nile and building two dams forming a 172 km-long basin.
- 25,000 people – Ethiopians and Italians – worked on site, supported by new roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, villages and even an airstrip built alongside the dam.
What Salini said. In an interview published today by the Corriere della Sera, WeBuild’s CEO said:
- “Premier Meloni’s recent visit to Addis Ababa underscored the importance of Ethiopia as a strategic partner in the Horn of Africa. The GERD project … is in line with the objectives of the Plan: to bring water, energy, health and infrastructure to where they are needed, with investments that generate real development, so the involvement of Italian companies is strategic”
- “GERD is much more than a dam. It embodies a vision of sustainable development for Africa, producing renewable energy equivalent to three nuclear plants.”
- “We are proud to have delivered not just a dam but an ecosystem of infrastructure and services in one of the most isolated regions of Africa.”
- “It is a model that shows great works are possible even in difficult contexts, if there is determination and trust.”
Symbolism. GERD is a symbol of African self-reliance, entirely financed by Ethiopia’s government and people.
- Salini parallels Italy’s Bridge over the Strait of Messina: both projects reflect a vision of transformation, resilience and long-term investment.
What we’re watching. GERD will provide electricity access to Ethiopia’s nearly 130 million citizens, while fuelling industrial growth.
- As Salini underlined, the project represents a forward-looking case study of strategic engagement in Africa for Italy.
- It shows how large-scale infrastructure, energy, and development initiatives can align with the government’s Mattei Plan and shape Rome’s future role on the continent.
(Photo: WeBuild)
