Ethiopian water minister says Nile resource development will continue
Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said on August 21 that Ethiopia would continue developing its Nile water resources despite opposition from downstream states.
In short
- Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said on August 21 that Ethiopia would continue developing its Nile water resources despite opposition from downstream states.
Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said on August 21, 2026, that the country would continue developing water resources within its territory despite objections from downstream states.
In remarks carried by Fana Broadcasting Corporate and an ENA report syndicated by AllAfrica, Habtamu framed Ethiopia’s position in terms of sovereignty and said opposition would not stop the country from pursuing development of its Nile, or Abay, resources.
Fana reported that the minister also addressed disagreements over a proposed framework for shared Nile governance. His comments signal that water policy remains a central issue in Ethiopia’s relations with other basin countries.
The available source records present the Ethiopian government’s position. They do not include a fresh response from Egypt or other downstream governments, so their views on the minister’s latest remarks could not be independently established from the discovered items.
