The presidents of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh; Kenya, William Ruto; Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; South Sudan’s Salva Kiir Mayardit; and Eswatini’s Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, attended the ceremony.

Representing the Caribbean was Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, who participated in the 2nd Africa-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Summit held at the African Union (AU) headquarters on Sunday.

Also present at the historic event were African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, along with senior Ethiopian government officials.

President Taye Atske-Selassie emphasized on his X profile that “everything we yearn for is realized with our sweat, blood, tears, and honor in the GERD.”

Selassie thanked the vision and courage of past and present leaders, considering it a reward for the resilience of the Ethiopian people. He predicted great things were yet to come.

Financed almost entirely by citizens in and outside Ethiopia, the dam is a compelling model for nations seeking to build critical infrastructure and achieve financial independence without the burden of foreign loans.

Once fully operational, it will generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, benefiting Addis Ababa and the region.

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