Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile will begin operations this September, with expected annual revenues of $1 billion.

Launched in 2011 with a budget of $4 billion, the dam is the largest hydropower project in Africa, spanning 1.8 kilometers in width and standing 145 meters high, according to AFP.

While Ethiopia views the project as a strategic development initiative to boost electricity exports and meet growing domestic demand, it continues to spark tensions with Egypt and Sudan, who fear significant impacts on their water shares from the Nile.

The dam’s operation marks a pivotal moment that could further fuel diplomatic disputes over water security in the region.