Hadiya Zone, sometimes written Hadiyya, is the most populous zone of Ethiopia’s Central Ethiopia Region, administered from Hosaena. It recorded 1,231,196 people at the 2007 census across 3,593 square kilometres, a density of about 343 people per square kilometre. Hosaena is also the executive seat of the Central Ethiopia Region, which was created on 19 August 2023 when the former SNNPR was divided.
| Region | Central Ethiopia |
| Administrative centre | Hosaena |
| Area | 3,593 km2 |
| Population (2007 census) | 1,231,196 |
| Main language | Hadiyya |
| Main religion | Protestant Christianity |
Woredas (Districts)
Hadiya is divided into rural woredas plus the Hosaena town administration. Several districts have been split since the 2007 census β Ameka, Mirab Soro and Siraro Badawacho are more recent creations whose people were counted within their parent districts. The figures below are the 2007 census counts and the Central Statistical Agency’s 2022 projections.
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Soro | 188,858 | 269,031 |
| Misraq Badawacho | 142,823 | 207,413 |
| Misha | 127,318 | 173,844 |
| Duna | 122,087 | 166,826 |
| Lemo | 118,594 | 157,107 |
| Gibe | 109,256 | 149,118 |
| Shashogo | 103,722 | 146,246 |
| Gombora | 93,141 | 121,158 |
| Mirab Badawacho | 83,439 | 111,484 |
| Ana Lemo | Not published separately | Not published separately |
| Hosaena town | 69,995 | 188,192 |
Ameka, Mirab Soro and Siraro Badawacho are also administered as woredas. Their populations are contained in the parent-district figures above.
Major Towns
| Town | Population (2022 proj.) |
|---|---|
| Hosaena | 188,192 |
| Shone | 41,900 |
| Gimbichu | 22,900 |
| Jajura | Not published |
| Fonko | Not published |
| Morsito | Not published |
Geography
Hadiya lies in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, mostly between 1,500 and 2,700 metres. The Omo River runs down its western edge, separating the zone from the Oromia Region and Yem Zone. The southern Badawacho districts sit lower and drier than the Hosaena plateau.
The zone borders Kembata Zone to the south, Dawro Zone to the south-west, Gurage Zone to the north, SiltΚΌe Zone to the north-east and Halaba Zone to the east. It also wraps around Tembaro Special Woreda on the south-west. An exclave of Hadiya sits south of Halaba.
Demographics
The 2007 census counted 1,231,196 residents, 612,026 men and 619,170 women. Summing the CSA’s 2022 projections for the zone’s districts and Hosaena town puts the current figure near 1.7 million, which makes Hadiya the largest zone in the region by population.
Hadiyya was the first language of 80.94% of residents at the 2007 census, ahead of Amharic at 2.24% and Kambaata at 1.94%. Protestant Christianity was reported by 75.35%, Islam by 11.13%, Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity by 8.45% and Catholicism by 4.31%.
Economy & Local Life
Enset and cereals dominate the highland farming system, with wheat, barley, teff and maize grown alongside pulses and potatoes. Coffee is the main cash crop on the western slopes, and the lower Badawacho districts grow maize, haricot beans and pepper. Cattle, sheep and goats are kept on most holdings. Hosaena’s market is the largest in the zone and draws traders from Halaba and Kembata. Remittances from Hadiya people working in South Africa and the Gulf are a visible part of the local economy, and much of Hosaena’s recent building has been financed that way.
Getting There
Hosaena is about 230 km south-west of Addis Ababa. The usual route is the asphalt road through Alem Gena, Butajira and Halaba Kulito, a four-to-five hour drive, and buses run daily. Hosaena also connects west to Jimma and south to Durame and Wolayita Sodo on paved roads. Shone lies about 55 km south of Hosaena on the road towards Wolayita. The nearest scheduled airports are Jimma and Wolayita Sodo; Addis Ababa Bole is the main gateway.
FAQ
Where is Hadiya Zone?
In the Central Ethiopia Region, in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, about 230 km south-west of Addis Ababa.
What is the capital of Hadiya Zone?
Hosaena, which is also the executive seat of the Central Ethiopia Region.
How many woredas are in Hadiya Zone?
Around a dozen, plus the Hosaena town administration. Ameka, Mirab Soro and Siraro Badawacho were created after the 2007 census by splitting older districts.
What language is spoken in Hadiya Zone?
Hadiyya, a Cushitic language spoken by about four in five residents. Amharic is the common second language.
How big is the population of Hadiya Zone?
1,231,196 at the 2007 census. CSA projections for 2022 put it near 1.7 million.
What is grown in Hadiya Zone?
Enset, wheat, barley, teff, maize, potatoes and pulses, with coffee as the main cash crop on the western slopes.