Eritrea Accelerates Rural Development with Construction of New Dam in Molqui Sub-zone
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A major water infrastructure project is underway in Eritrea’s Molqui sub-zone, where a new dam in the Aitaber administrative area is nearing completion. Designed to enhance water access for local communities and livestock, the dam will also support expanded irrigation farminga key element in Eritrea’s strategy for sustainable rural development.
According to Eng. Solomon Gebremeskel, the project coordinator, the dam’s construction has reached approximately 80% completion. The effort is being carried out in partnership with the local community and the Eritrean Defense Forces, who have played a significant role in advancing the work. Once completed, the dam will serve as a crucial water reservoir, improving resilience in an area frequently challenged by water scarcity.
Mr. Tesfamicael Gebru, Administrator of the Molqui sub-zone, stated that the dam is part of a national strategy to construct water reservoirs across the country. These initiatives aim to increase water security for domestic use and livestock, while simultaneously enabling irrigation-based agriculture—critical for improving food security and local livelihoods.
Alongside infrastructural development, the Molqui sub-zone is also experiencing significant progress in education. Educational services in the area now span from elementary to secondary school, offering access to over 1,800 students from 22 surrounding villages. Mr. Mulugeta Abraham, Head of Pedagogy, credited these opportunities with boosting enrolment rates and strengthening community development through improved learning outcomes.
The development of the Aitaber dam offers tangible opportunities for agricultural businesses and small-scale agri-processing enterprises in the region. With increased irrigation potential, the sub-zone is poised to attract investment in fruit and vegetable farming, smallholder irrigation schemes, and livestock development. The project also paves the way for local contractors and service providers involved in civil engineering, machinery maintenance, and agro-logistics to engage in long-term service provision. Additionally, as education access expands, demand for school materials, transport, and food services is expected to growcreating fertile ground for microenterprise development.
