The turbines of Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) began turning following the first power generation ceremony in Guba, Ethiopia, attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday.  

The multi-billion dollar mega-dam uses water from the Blue Nile to generate electricity.  Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project to date has caused friction between Ethiopia and its neighbors Egypt and Sudan due to concerns over the diversion of Nile water to fill its vast reservoir.

Check out The China Report, our new weekly newsletter. Subscribe here!