An Ethiopian official has refuted claims by United States President Donald Trump that the U.S played a financial role in the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The official labeled the assertion as both “false” and “destructive.”
Trump had recently stated that the massive hydroelectric project on the River Nile was built “with United States money, largely.”
His comments sparked outrage in Ethiopia, where the dam is seen as a symbol of national pride and self-reliance.
The Gerd, Africa’s largest hydro-electric dam, has been under construction for 14 years.
During this time, the Ethiopian government has consistently emphasized that the project was domestically funded, financed through government allocations and voluntary contributions from Ethiopian citizens.
Despite being a point of pride for Ethiopia, the dam has been met with strong opposition from Egypt and Sudan.
Both countries fear that the project could significantly reduce their share of the Nile’s waters, potentially affecting agriculture and water access downstream.
Speaking on Tuesday, Fikrte Tamir, deputy director of the Gerd Coordination Office, firmly rejected Trump’s claim, stating the dam was built “without any foreign aid.”
Though the Gerd Coordination Office operates independently, it was created by the Ethiopian government to help generate funding for the project. Ms. Fikrte added, “Regarding what Donald Trump claimed, the government should respond with far-sighted and carefully considered diplomatic procedures.”
Her remarks have prompted some Ethiopians to question whether the Coordination Office, given its semi-autonomous role, would be privy to any undisclosed financial arrangements between the Ethiopian government and the U.S.
So far, Ethiopia’s federal government has not formally responded to Trump’s assertion. The dam began producing electricity in 2022 and reached full completion earlier this month.
Trump had previously voiced similar claims about U.S. involvement in the project.
In a recent Truth Social post, he said the dam was “stupidly financed by the United States of America” and that it “substantially reduces the water flowing into The Nile River.”
His comments appear to echo longstanding concerns from Egypt and Sudan about the potential environmental and economic impact of the dam.
The Gerd, which is more than a mile long and stands 145 meters high, is located in Ethiopia’s northern highlands along the Blue Nile, which supplies about 85% of the water that feeds into the main Nile River.
For Ethiopia, the dam represents a lifeline, aimed at addressing a severe electricity shortfall.
Around 60% of the population still lacks access to power, and the government views the dam as key to driving development.
Initially projected to be completed within six years at a cost of $4 billion, the project has faced delays and budget overruns. Nevertheless, it has consistently enjoyed strong public support.
The Ethiopian government tapped into national enthusiasm to raise funds by selling bonds, encouraging salary deductions, and receiving donations from citizens at home and abroad.
In just the past year leading up to 7 July, the Gerd Coordination Office reported that it had collected 1.7 billion birr ($12.3 million; £9.1 million) from public contributions.
