…Says It’s A Triumph For African Energy Sovereignty
THE AFRICAN Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has eulogised Ethiopia following the country’s historic inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, said to be Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
In a September 10, 2025-dated press release, entitled: “TUC-Africa Applauds Ethiopia On The Inauguration Of Africa’s Largest Hydroelectric Dam: A Step Towards Energy Sovereignty And Climate Justice”, and signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, the pan-African labour body hailed the commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as more than a national success, calling it a “continental inspiration” that signifies a major stride towards energy sovereignty and climate justice.
Emphasising that Ethiopia’s achievement demonstrates Africa’s inherent capacity to harness its abundant natural resources for development through public ownership, ITUC-Africa stated that this approach will ensure that energy is treated as a common good for the people, “and not a commodity monopolised for profit.”
The clean energy generated by the dam is expected to be a significant catalyst for Ethiopia’s industrialisation, the organisation said, stressing further that the project’s broader continental implications aligns with commitments to a just transition away from fossil fuels.
“The clean energy generated will not only propel Ethiopia’s industrialisation but will also contribute to the continent’s broader commitment to climate justice and a just transition. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and expanding access to sustainable energy, Ethiopia is showing that development and decarbonisation can go hand in hand. This is a step towards building resilient economies that prioritise workers, communities, and the environment.
“As ITUC-Africa, we commend this bold leap of faith. We hope that this feat inspires other African nations to accelerate their efforts towards energy sovereignty. This aligns with our call to Reclaim and Restore Public Pathways—a vision that demands renewable energy systems that are publicly owned, equitably distributed, democratically governed, and anchored in social justice,” the press release reads in part
The labour organisation directly linked this progress to its longstanding advocacy to “Reclaim and Restore Public Pathways.” It described this vision as one demanding renewable energy systems that are “publicly owned, equitably distributed, democratically governed, and anchored in social justice.”
While also stressing that International Labour Standards (ILS) are non-negotiable, ITUC-Africa asserted that the workers who build and operate such critical infrastructure must have their rights protected, their voices heard, and their working conditions improved.
“Importantly, ITUC-Africa stresses that energy sovereignty and just transition must always be anchored in International Labour Standards (ILS). Workers who build, operate, and sustain these energy infrastructures must have their rights protected, their voices heard, and their working conditions improved. Freedom of association, collective bargaining, occupational safety, and social protection are not optional, they are prime. Without rights, there can be no justice in transition,” the statement declared.
Noting the concerns expressed by Egypt regarding possible impacts on water flow during crucial irrigation seasons, ITUC-Africa cautioned that these concerns must not be dismissed.
“We therefore urge the governments of Ethiopia and Egypt to pursue constructive dialogue and engineer mutually acceptable coping and mitigation strategies, guided by solidarity, fairness, and Pan-African cooperation,” said the statement as emphasised that the achievement remains “a powerful reminder that Africa’s future lies in reclaiming sovereignty over its resources and pursuing development pathways rooted in justice, equity, sustainability, and the primacy of workers’ rights.”
Comrade Odigie saluted the Ethiopian people and government and called on all African nations to “seize this momentum, deepen their commitment to just transition, uphold ILS, and accelerate the building of sustainable, sovereign, and publicly-driven energy systems that work for people and the planet.”
