Jimma Zone (Oromo: Godina Jimmaa) is a zone in the south-west of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, named after the 19th-century Kingdom of Jimma. It covers 15,568.58 square kilometres and recorded a population of 2,486,155 in the 2007 census, the last full national count. The zone administration sits in Jimma city, which is governed separately as a special zone — see Jimma city for the town itself.
| Region | Oromia |
| Administrative seat | Jimma city (separately administered) |
| Woredas | 17 |
| Area | 15,568.58 km² |
| Population (2007 census) | 2,486,155 |
| Density | 159.69 per km² |
| Main language | Afaan Oromoo |
| Cash crop | Arabica coffee |
Woredas (Districts)
Jimma Zone is divided into 17 woredas, including one town administration. Boundaries have shifted since the 2007 census and several woredas have been sub-divided locally, so the list below follows the zone’s standard published set.
- Agaro Town
- Chora Botor
- Dedo
- Gera
- Gomma
- Guma
- Kersa
- Limmu Kosa
- Limmu Sakka
- Mana
- Omo Nada
- Seka Chekorsa
- Setema
- Shebe Senbo
- Sigmo
- Sokoru
- Tiro Afeta
Major Towns
Agaro is the largest town inside the zone. Population figures below are the 2007 census count and the Central Statistical Service 2022 projection.
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Agaro | 25,458 | 52,800 |
Smaller woreda centres and market towns confirmed by gazetteer coordinates inside the zone include Serbo (Kersa), Yebu (Mana), Dedo, Seka, Shebe, Asendabo (Kersa), Omo Nada, Setema and Gera. Most are rural service centres of a few thousand people, and none has a separately published census figure.
Geography
The zone lies in the Ethiopian south-western highlands, between roughly 1,400 and 2,400 metres. Mount Maigudo, at 2,386 metres, is the highest measured point. The Gibe (Gilgel Gibe) River forms part of the northern and eastern boundary and feeds the Gilgel Gibe hydroelectric reservoir; the Gojeb River drains the south.
Jimma Zone borders Illubabor Zone and Buno Bedele Zone to the north-west, East Welega Zone to the north, and West Shewa Zone to the north-east. To the south and south-west it meets South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region and Central Ethiopia Region, both carved out of the former SNNPR. Rainfall is high and reliable, and much of the zone still carries montane forest.
Demographics
The 2007 census counted 2,486,155 residents: 1,250,527 men and 1,235,628 women. The Oromo were the largest ethnic group at 87.6 per cent, followed by the Amhara at 4.05 per cent and the Yem at 3.12 per cent. Afaan Oromoo is the dominant first language. Islam is the majority religion across the zone, with Orthodox Christian and Protestant minorities.
Ethiopia has held no census since 2007. The statistical agency projects the whole of Oromia at about 40.1 million for 2022, against 27.0 million counted in 2007; zone-level projections on current boundaries have not been published.
Economy & Local Life
Coffee defines the zone. Jimma produced 26,743 tonnes in the year ending 2005 — 23.2 per cent of Oromia’s output and 11.8 per cent of Ethiopia’s — placing it with Sidama and Gedeo among the country’s top three producing areas. Gera, Gomma and Limmu are known nationally as washed-coffee origins, and the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre works on coffee breeding and disease resistance.
Beyond coffee, farmers grow maize, teff, sorghum, enset and khat, and keep cattle for milk and draught. Honey from forest hives is a significant secondary income. Weekly markets at Agaro, Asendabo and Serbo move grain, livestock and coffee toward Jimma city.
Getting There
The main approach is the asphalt Addis Ababa–Jimma highway, about 350 kilometres south-west of the capital via Woliso and Welkite; buses run daily and take six to eight hours. Agaro lies about 45 kilometres north-west of Jimma on the road toward Bedele and Nekemte. Aba Segud Airport at Jimma has scheduled Ethiopian Airlines flights from Addis Ababa. Roads off the main highway are gravel and can be slow in the June–September rains.
FAQ
Where is Jimma Zone?
It is in the south-west of the Oromia Region, about 350 kilometres by road from Addis Ababa.
What is the difference between Jimma Zone and Jimma?
Jimma city was separated from the zone before the 2007 census and is run as its own special zone. Jimma Zone is the surrounding rural zone of 17 woredas, and its offices are still based in the city.
How many woredas are in Jimma Zone?
Seventeen, including Agaro town administration.
What is the population of Jimma Zone?
2,486,155 at the 2007 census. No newer official zone-level figure has been published.
What language is spoken in Jimma Zone?
Afaan Oromoo, spoken by the large majority. Amharic is used in trade and administration.
What is Jimma Zone known for?
Arabica coffee. The zone is one of Ethiopia’s three biggest coffee-producing areas.