Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – MOST VALUABLE PROJECT FOR INTEGRATION AWARD
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is Africa’s largest hydropower project and a landmark of African-led infrastructure development.
With an installed capacity of over 6,000 MW, the project is expected to more than double Ethiopia’s electricity generation, supporting industrialisation, affordable energy access, and long-term economic growth. Financed largely through domestic and diaspora contributions, GERD demonstrates innovative, self-driven infrastructure financing at scale.
Through planned power exports under the Eastern Africa Power Pool, the dam will strengthen regional energy trade and integration. GERD embodies Africa’s ambitions for sustainable development, regional cooperation, and shared prosperity aligned with AfCFTA objectives. This $5 billion project offers a blueprint on how Africa can raise the needed funds to build the infrastructure that will transform and integrate our continent.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR APCA NOMINEES
Nominees for the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards (APCA) must exemplify excellence, integrity, and measurable impact in advancing Africa’s prosperity. They should demonstrate innovation, leadership, and a commitment to sustainable growth that transcends national boundaries and contributes to regional integration, job creation, and empowerment. Their achievements must reflect the spirit of Africa’s Single Market agenda. They must also be an example of Africa’s collective progress, serving as an inspiration to others through verifiable results, ethical conduct, and a lasting contribution to the continent’s development and global image.
AWARD PRESENTATION CRITERIA
Aside from circumstances deemed exceptional, one of the strict rules of the APCAs requires Award winners to accept the award in person. Absent awardees are neither announced nor handed an award. In the case of Presidential awards, however, the award may be accepted on behalf of the Head of State by their vice or deputy President or Head of State or Government.