Ethiopia's $5bn project that could turn it into Africa's water powerhouse

Milena Veselinovic, for CNN

Updated 0958 GMT (1758 HKT) October 20, 2015

The Grand Renaissance Dam is under construction on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. It is claimed it will generate 6,000 MW of energy when completed.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Grand Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia – The Grand Renaissance Dam is under construction on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. It is claimed it will generate 6,000 MW of energy when completed.
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West African and mining companies in the region are investing in a massive rail project which, when completed, will be 3,000 km long and link Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
West African railway – West African and mining companies in the region are investing in a massive rail project which, when completed, will be 3,000 km long and link Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.
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Stretching almost 3,000 kilometers and connecting three East African states, the Mombasa-Kigali railway will pass through Kampala, Uganda.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Mombasa-Kigali railway – Stretching almost 3,000 kilometers and connecting three East African states, the Mombasa-Kigali railway will pass through Kampala, Uganda.
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Konza Techno City will be built over 5,000 acres of land, 64km south of Nairobi. The business park is being marketed by the Kenyan government as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 development program.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Konza Techno City, Kenya – Konza Techno City will be built over 5,000 acres of land, 64km south of Nairobi. The business park is being marketed by the Kenyan government as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 development program.
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The establishment of Konza City is one of the key flagships projects of Vision 2030 which will position Kenya as the regions ICT hub, according to the government.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Konza Techno City, Kenya – The establishment of Konza City is one of the key flagships projects of Vision 2030 which will position Kenya as the regions ICT hub, according to the government.
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As part of the Ethiopian government's Growth and Transformation plan, a 650-kilometer railway will be built to link up the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Djibouti Railway, Ethiopia – As part of the Ethiopian government's Growth and Transformation plan, a 650-kilometer railway will be built to link up the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti.
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The project is set to cost $1.2 billion, according to estimates from KPMG.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Djibouti Railway, Ethiopia – The project is set to cost $1.2 billion, according to estimates from KPMG.
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The Grand Inga dam is a planned hydroelectric dam on the Congo River at Inga Falls. The project is expected to cost more than $80 billion in total.
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Grand Inga Dam, DR Congo – The Grand Inga dam is a planned hydroelectric dam on the Congo River at Inga Falls. The project is expected to cost more than $80 billion in total.
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Renewable solar energy firm SolarReserve has 238MW of solar projects in construction in South Africa, including the Google-backed Jasper Power Project (pictured here).
Photos: Africa's big infrastructure projects
Jasper Project, South Africa – Renewable solar energy firm SolarReserve has 238MW of solar projects in construction in South Africa, including the Google-backed Jasper Power Project (pictured here).
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Ethiopia renaissance damAfrica Viewuganda railwayKonza Technology City africa urban futureKonza City africa urban futureDjibouti railway 1Djibouti Railway 2Inga dam congo river aerial viewafrica solar energy Lesedi

Story highlights

  • Ethiopia is building the largest hydro-electric dam in Africa
  • The country says the $5bn Grand Renaissance Dam is funded entirely by the government and its people
  • Neighboring Sudan and Egypt fear that the dam will affect their water supply

Each week, Africa View explores the trends, figures and initiatives shaping Africa. From education and energy to technology and innovation, it showcases topics and influential sectors driving countries on the continent.

(CNN)It's called the Grand Renaissance Dam -- and the clue is in the name.

With some 8,500 laborers working around the clock on its construction, the imposingly-named dam is surely one of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure projects, reaffirming Ethiopia's ambitions of becoming a big regional player and a major exporter of power.