Cairo: Egypt announced on Friday that the construction of Tanzania's Julius Nyerere hydropower project by an Egyptian consortium counters claims that Cairo opposes development in African and Nile Basin countries. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly shared these remarks during his visit to Tanzania, where he attended the project's inauguration on Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the project was completed by a consortium that included Egyptian firms Elsewedy Electric and Arab Contractors. Madbouly emphasized that the project highlights the capacity of Egyptian companies to execute significant development projects across Africa. The new hydropower facility is designed to meet Tanzania's energy requirements by generating 2,115 megawatts of electricity, he added.
Madbouly noted that the construction spanned nearly five years and engaged a 12,000-strong workforce, which included 1,700 Egyptian engineers and technicians. He stated, 'The success of the Julius Nyerere dam and hydropower plant refutes previous claims that Egypt opposes development in Nile Basin countries.' He also reiterated Cairo's commitment to 'safeguarding its rights in the Nile River while continuing to support development in fellow Nile Basin countries in a manner that serves common interests.'
His comments come amid ongoing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over Addis Ababa's intention to construct additional dams on the Nile. Ethiopia maintains that it has the sovereign right to pursue water projects without needing approval from other countries, while Egypt opposes any unilateral actions that could potentially impact its share of Nile water. The tensions stem from a long-standing dispute over Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Recently, Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa stated that Ethiopia would proceed with building more dams as necessary. In contrast, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty declared in a televised address that Cairo would 'not allow construction of additional dams on the Nile.' Egyptian state media also reported an Egyptian official asserting that Ethiopian plans to build more dams and control water flows to downstream states are 'not recognized under international law,' and Cairo would prevent their realization as a fait accompli.
Despite ongoing negotiations among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a conclusive agreement has yet to be reached. Talks among the three nations were halted for nearly three years before resuming in 2023, only to stall again in the following year. The Nile Basin is shared by 11 countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.