Ethiopia Asserts Right to Develop Nile Resources Amid Egyptian Concerns

Addis Ababa:Ethiopia is resolute in its position that it will not relinquish its right to utilize the Nile River for its development needs, despite persistent Egyptian claims of historical rights over the river. Ethiopia highlights that repeating terms like 'historical rights' and 'water security' does not entitle any state to additional rights over a transboundary river.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia's Water and Energy Minister, Habtamu Itefa, emphasized that Ethiopia does not require permission from other countries to develop its water resources. This stance is demonstrated by the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) without external approval, which has significantly increased the country's electricity production and expanded energy exports to neighboring nations.The Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy has pointed out a double standard in Egypt's approach, noting Cairo's demand for consultation before upstream countries develop projects, despite Egypt not consulting upstream countries when it constructed the Aswan High Dam. This highlights the inconsistency in Egypt's stance regarding the rights of Nile Basin countries to develop their water resources.Ethiopia challenges the notion that past agreements, which it was not a party to, should bind it now. The country argues that these historical arrangements do not reflect the current political and economic realities of Africa, where the needs for electricity, food, and water have grown substantially.Ethiopia maintains that transboundary rivers should foster cooperation and development rather than serve as tools for excluding upstream countries. In January 2026, Minister Itefa reiterated that Ethiopian transboundary rivers should be seen as shared resources that offer opportunities for collaboration and green growth.The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is seen as a catalyst for economic cooperation in the region, having doubled Ethiopia's electricity-generation capacity and supporting industrialization and economic grow th. Ethiopia continues to invest in watershed rehabilitation and sustainability efforts, asserting its right to use its natural resources without external interference.Ethiopia calls for mutual respect and cooperation among Nile Basin countries, viewing the river as a shared resource for African integration rather than a source of conflict.