Ethiopia says construction on a massive dam is nearly complete and should spur economic growth. But there's been controversy over the water and whether some may not get enough. So leaders are pushing for more cooperation between the players: Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. CGTN'S Girum Chala has more.

GIRUM CHALA ADDIS ABABA "It is expected to generate more than 6 thousand megawatts of electric power. It will become Africa's largest hydropower facility and it's being self-financed by Ethiopia and will cost the eastern Africa Country about 7 billion US dollars. I'm talking about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam now under construction."

This dam, however, is a matter of contention between Ethiopia and Egypt. The later claims the Nile water that arrives into its territories could be diminished due to the construction. Ethiopia disagrees. And strongly believes matters should be resolved through agreed means only.

WORKINEH GEBEYEHU ETHIOPIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS "As far as the Grand Renaissance Dam is concerned we all have a declaration of principles which we work together on. Based on this website, we have been holding discussions at a technical or political level. Ministers of water lead the technical level meetings and political discussions are led by foreign ministers of the countries. These talks are being held uninterruptedly. This platform addresses any differences that may arise. Therefore it's only through round-table talks we solve our differences."

Taking a step to the right direction, leaders of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have met in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the recently concluded AU summit. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President Omar Hussein Al-Bashir have held fruitful talks said the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs.

MELES ALEM ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON "They have instructed the foreign ministers, ministers of water and irrigation and other relevant ministries in the three countries to form a subcommittee and iron out outstanding issues with regards to GERD. This is a very important decision. In fact, they are expected to report to the head of states within one month."

But the talks were not all about the Nile water. Leaders of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have agreed to meet annually and set up a fund for infrastructure development. There is also a plan to build a railway line which will link the three states.

MELES ALEM ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON "Another issue which is very important with regard to the people to people economic ties between the 3 countries is the decision of their head of states to form an infrastructure fund with a purpose of increasing interconnectivity between the three countries. God willing after few years we may see infrastructure development from Addis Ababa through Khartoum to Cairo."

Ethiopian authorities said once the Renaissance Dam is complete, it will strengthen the cooperation between the three countries and even beyond the region too.

GIRUM CHALA ADDIS ABABA "Ethiopia says its mega dam is its flagship project which will benefit local people economically. The dam is now close to 70 percent complete.Girum Chala, CGTN, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."