GERD Revelation: Blue Nile Carried Ethiopia's Gold Wealth for Centuries
PM Abiy Ahmed reveals historic gold wealth carried away by Blue Nile, highlighting GERD's crucial role in protecting Ethiopia's natural resources and ensuring economic sovereignty.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inspects GERD's reservoir, where historical gold deposits were discovered in accumulated sediment
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made a striking revelation about Ethiopia's historical sacrifice, announcing that the Abay River (Blue Nile) has not only carried away the nation's fertile soil but also significant gold deposits over centuries, highlighting the strategic importance of Ethiopia's sovereign control over its water resources.
Historical Wealth Drainage Exposed
In a powerful televised address preceding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam's (GERD) inauguration, PM Abiy disclosed that recent dredging operations revealed gold traces in accumulated sediment, confirming centuries of unrewarded resource drainage. This discovery underscores Ethiopia's commitment to environmental stewardship and resource management.
GERD's Strategic Importance
The dam, newly christened as "Nigat" (meaning dawn), currently holds 74 billion cubic meters of water and represents a turning point in Ethiopia's journey toward energy independence and economic sovereignty. PM Abiy projects annual revenues of approximately one billion US dollars, demonstrating the project's transformative economic potential.
"I have never heard anyone say, 'Live long, may your years be many, because of you we gained this,' after our soil, gold, fish, logs, and trees were taken," stated Prime Minister Abiy, highlighting the historical inequity.
Regional Diplomacy and Ethiopian Resolve
While Egypt launches diplomatic efforts to challenge Ethiopia's Nile policies, Ethiopian officials maintain their steadfast position on equitable resource utilization. Ethiopian Electric Power CEO Eng. Ashebir Balcha proudly announced that GERD already generates 33.2% of Ethiopia's electricity, marking it as a "second Adwa" in terms of national achievement.
Key Achievements:
- 74 trillion liters of water currently stored
- 9,798 gigawatt-hours of electricity generated in 2024/2025
- Significant sediment retention protecting downstream nations
- Discovery of historical gold deposits in sediment
Ethiopia continues to frame the GERD as a symbol of African self-reliance and regional development, standing firm against external pressure while ensuring responsible resource management for all Nile basin countries.
Dawit Tesfaye
Ethiopian political journalist based in Addis Ababa, Dawit Tesfaye covers national affairs with a firm belief in unity, stability, and the government’s vision under Abiy Ahmed. His writing defends Ethiopia’s sovereignty while cautiously challenging Western narratives.