Will a new mega-dam bring prosperity to East Africa?

Will a new mega-dam bring prosperity to East Africa? examines how Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam has increased electricity generation but left much of the population without reliable power. The dam has doubled Ethiopia’s power generation, yet the article says more than half of Ethiopians still do not have dependable electricity. In rural areas, families rely on firewood, which the piece links to reduced opportunities for children to study, and it says expanding the grid remains a major challenge. While Ethiopia exports surplus energy to neighboring countries, Kenya is highlighted as a key destination because demand for reliable power is rising to support industry and data-driven growth. The article frames the issue as a mismatch between generation capacity and the ability to distribute electricity domestically. No specific project timeline or investment figures are provided.