In full swing preparing for his re-election in the presidential race of 11 October, Guinean President Alpha Condé inaugurated the Kaleta hydro-electric dam, 75% funded by China Eximbank, on 28 September.

The inauguration ceremony of this grand hydro-electric public works in Guinea, which is already producing electricity, took place in the presence of presidents Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo and Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger.

Endowed with 3 turbo-alternators, the construction located north of Conakry, has 23 million m3 of water with a capacity of 240 megawatts for a total cost of $526 million.

"We in Guinea, we are the water tower of West Africa, but, we have neither water, nor electricity, that is the Guinean paradox which must be changed", declared President Condé in a speech made at the site.

"Without electricity, Africa cannot develop, with electricity, we will industrialise and we will no longer see our children dying in the Mediterranean sea because they despair in Africa", he added.

The new dam will improve electricity service to several Guinean towns which are estimated to have an energy deficit of 400 megawatts. It will also supply neighbouring countries Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Senegal.

Present during the dam inauguration ceremony, former French Minister Jean-Louis Borloo, President of the Foundation Energy for Africa, welcomed a global event which allowed (his friend) Alpha Condé to change the lives of more than 4 million Guineans in less than five years.