African country's incredible £3bn mega dam that's the largest on the continent

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) was built on the Blue Nile and is Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam.

Once completed, the dam aims to power millions of homes, increase economic growth and transform this African country into an energy hub.

With an installed capacity of 5.15 gigawatts, the dam sits among the 20 largest in the world with its primary function being electricity production.

Despite its many benefits, the dam has also sparked major tensions from other African countries, namely Egypt and Sudan.

Formerly known as the Millennium Dam, it is a gravity dam located in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia.

GERD is a roller compacted concrete gravity dam that’s 1,800 metres long and 175 metres high.

It will create a reservoir capable of holding a staggering 74 billion cubic metres of water.

The dam is equipped with 13 Francis turbines which are housed in two power stations and will generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity annually.

To put that in context, it will produce enough energy to double Ethiopia’s current energy output, making the country one of the largest African energy producers.

Youtube channel, Civil Mentors, further looked at the Gerd and how this £3 billion megaproject came about.

They said: “This project is a lifeline for Ethiopia and promises to electrify homes, power industries and lift millions out of poverty.

“The dam has high economic potential by generating over 15,700 gigawatts hours annually and providing reliable electricity to millions of Ethiopians, while enabling energy exports to neighbouring countries like Sudan and Kenya.”

These exports are expected to generate up to £795 million annually which can be used for reinvestments in infrastructure and social programs.

Despite Gerd’s many benefits, countries like Egypt and Sudan are not happy about the dam’s near completion with the water usage taken from the Nile River being the main concern.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said: "Ethiopia's unilateral measures are considered a disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream countries and their water security.”

A 1929 treaty gave both Sudan and Egypt the rights to almost all of the Nile’s water while also giving the two countries a right to veto any projects that could deprive them of this water.

Ethiopia argued that it should not be bound by old treaties and ignored these warnings and built the dam during the political turmoil in Egypt known as the Arab Spring.