Ethiopia outfoxes Egypt over the Nile's waters with its mighty dam

Ethiopia is poised to inaugurate the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), a colossal project costing $5bn, signaling a triumph over longstanding diplomatic conflicts with Egypt over Nile water rights. The dam, heralded as Africa's largest hydro-electric plant, aims to bolster Ethiopian nationalism and energy self-reliance while stoking tensions with Egypt, which fears water shortages due to reduced flow from the Nile. The inauguration of the Gerd marks a pivotal shift in the geopolitical landscape of the region, with Ethiopia eyeing increased electricity sales to neighboring countries and potentially seeking access to the Red Sea.