American political analyst Dr. Andrew Korybko says the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a "great lesson" for African countries seeking to build major projects with their own resources.

In a recent interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Korybko highlighted the dam as a symbol of a new era of self-reliance for the continent. According to Korybko, the GERD, which was entirely financed and built by Ethiopia, demonstrates Africa's capacity for development without external dependence.

He noted that the dam strengthens Ethiopia's leadership role and serves as a model for regional cooperation, particularly for downstream countries on the Nile River. The attendance of several African heads of state at the GERD's inauguration on September 15, 2024, also showed the region’s desire for shared progress.

Korybko described the GERD as a reflection of a new multilateral cooperation framework that allows countries in the Global South to build their own capacity and strengthen their sovereignty. He added that Ethiopia's history of never being colonized and its status as the headquarters of the African Union underscore its significant role on the continent.

The analyst further stated that the dam represents a major step toward Ethiopia's journey to energy self-sufficiency, providing electricity to millions of citizens and creating a favorable opportunity to harness the country's economic potential. He referred to Ethiopia as a regional leader, highlighting the GERD as a testament to how all its neighbors can benefit through collaborative efforts. Korybko concluded that the electricity Ethiopia sells to neighboring countries will strengthen regional cooperation.

He believes the dam shows that Ethiopia has the capacity to secure its national interests by using the Nile River, and emphasized that downstream countries should pursue cooperation with Ethiopia. Ultimately, he sees the GERD as an "engine that will ignite regional peace and development."