Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan sign new deal on Nile dam

Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have agreed on which firms will carry out studies on the potential impact of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam on the flow of the Nile, their foreign and water ministers said.

But in March, the leaders of the three countries signed a co-operation deal in the Sudanese capital Khartoum that paved the way for a joint approach to regional water supplies.

Following a two-day meeting of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan's foreign and water ministers, Khartoum's chief diplomat, Ibrahim Ghandour, on Tuesday said two French firms BRL and Artelia had been tapped for the work.

Technical studies will start in February, when the six ministers are due to meet again, and will take between six and 15 months, Sudanese water minister, Moataz Mousa, said.