Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has reasserted Ethiopia’s "natural and historical right" to the Red Sea, drawing a direct line between the country’s ancient status as a global superpower and its modern ambitions for energy hegemony.

During a high-level training session, the prime minister took leaders on a historical deep dive, referencing the civilizations of Punt, Damot, and Kush. He reminded attendees that these ancient Ethiopian empires held sway over the Red Sea, making Ethiopia a central corridor for global trade.

"If it is said that civilization exists in the world, one of the places it is found is in Ethiopia," he declared, noting that during the Axumite era, Ethiopia was one of only four global superpowers because of its connectivity to the world beyond Africa.

From Waterways to Watts

The prime minister pivoted from historical waters to modern hydropower, arguing that true civilization today requires energy independence. He revealed striking statistics regarding the continent's energy infrastructure:

• Dominating the Grid: Out of the 15 largest dams in Africa, four are located in Ethiopia (the GERD at #1, Koysha at #2, Gibe at #7, and Tekeze at #11).
• The Unmet Potential: Despite these rankings, the PM offered a sobering reality check. He stated that Ethiopia is utilizing only a fraction of its "limited capacity," and that the gap between the country's potential output and its actual production remains vast.

"Countries that have not created energy should not be considered civilized," he asserted, framing energy production not just as economics, but as the fundamental "input for civilization."