Engineer Kifle Horo, the project manager for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), declared the mega-project to be "Ethiopia's future hope." His remarks went beyond the dam's primary function of power generation, highlighting a broad spectrum of benefits for the nation and the wider region.

The GERD is projected to generate a staggering 15,760 GWh of power annually, which could bring in an estimated $1 billion in revenue. However, Engineer Kifle emphasized that the dam's most significant impact lies in its broader contributions to national development. He noted that the dam's renewable energy output will act as a catalyst, stimulating and modernizing Ethiopia’s manufacturing and service sectors.

The project’s benefits are not limited to electricity alone. The vast reservoir, now named "Nigat" Lake, is a 270-kilometer stretch featuring 70 islands. Engineer Kifle anticipates that this immense body of water will become a major draw for tourists, spurring the growth of the hotel and hospitality industries in the region. Furthermore, the dam is expected to create a significant new source of fish, bolstering food security.

Engineer Kifle also highlighted the GERD's advantages for downstream Nile basin countries. He explained that the dam's ability to regulate water flow will be a crucial asset, preventing water shortages during dry seasons and mitigating the risk of devastating floods. This regulation, he argued, provides a stable and consistent water supply, offering long-term security for all nations along the river.