List of Towns, Villages and Cities in Southwest Shewa Zone

Southwest Shewa Zone (Oromo: Shawaa Lixa Kibbaa) is a zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, south-west of Addis Ababa, with its administrative centre at Waliso. The 2007 census recorded 1,101,129 residents across 12 woredas, of whom 149,878 — 13.61 per cent — lived in towns. The Addis Ababa–Jimma highway runs the length of the zone, which puts most of its population within a few hours of the capital.

Woredas (Districts)

• Amaya
• Becho
• Dawo
• Elu
• Goro
• Kersana Malima
• Seden Sodo
• Sodo Dacha
• Tole
• Waliso
• Waliso Town
• Wanchi

Waliso woreda and Waliso town are counted separately, which is why some sources give the zone 11 rural woredas plus one town administration.

Major Towns

Tulu Bolo is the centre of Becho woreda, on the Jimma road north-east of Waliso. Other towns confirmed inside the zone by gazetteer coordinates include Teji (Becho), Busa (Dawo), Gindo (Dawo), Tole and Goro. These are market centres serving farming woredas rather than towns with published census series.

Geography

The zone runs from highland ridges above 2,500 metres in the north-west down to the Gibe and Awash valleys. Waliso sits at about 2,000 metres. The western boundary follows the Gibe (Ghibe) River gorge; the Awash rises in the highlands just north of the zone and drains east. Wanchi woreda takes its name from the crater and lake on the boundary with West Shewa Zone.

Southwest Shewa borders West Shewa to the north, the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne and East Shewa Zone to the east, Central Ethiopia Region to the south, and Jimma Zone across the Gibe to the west.

Demographics

The 2007 census counted 1,101,129 people — 556,194 men and 544,935 women — in 233,916 households. The Oromo were 87.08 per cent of residents, the Amhara 6.16 per cent and the Gurage 5.06 per cent, the last reflecting proximity to the Gurage highlands to the south. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity was practised by 77.82 per cent and Islam by 11.11 per cent.

Ethiopia’s last census was in 2007. The statistical agency projects Oromia as a whole at about 40.1 million for 2022; no matching zone-level projection has been published for Southwest Shewa.

Economy & Local Life

Farming is mixed highland cereal and livestock: teff, wheat, barley, maize, faba beans and chickpeas, with cattle and sheep on the higher ground and eucalyptus grown for poles. Becho and Tole, on the flatter black-soil plains toward the Awash, are notable teff-producing woredas supplying Addis Ababa.

Waliso is the commercial centre and the site of hot mineral springs, which have supported a small spa and hotel trade for decades; the springs are the zone’s best-known visitor attraction. Ambo University’s Waliso campus and a general hospital serve the zone. Weekly markets at Waliso, Tulu Bolo and Teji move grain, livestock and dairy toward the capital.

Getting There

Waliso is about 114 kilometres south-west of Addis Ababa on the asphalt Jimma highway, roughly two hours by bus, with frequent minibus and bus service in both directions. Tulu Bolo lies about 30 kilometres closer to the capital on the same road. Gravel roads branch north-west toward Wanchi and Amaya and south toward Sodo Dacha. The nearest airport is in Addis Ababa.

FAQ

Where is Southwest Shewa Zone?

In central Oromia, south-west of Addis Ababa along the Jimma road, with its centre at Waliso about 114 kilometres from the capital.

What is the capital of Southwest Shewa Zone?

Waliso, also spelled Woliso, projected at about 78,600 people for 2022.

How many woredas are in Southwest Shewa Zone?

Twelve, counting Waliso town administration separately from Waliso woreda.

What is the population of Southwest Shewa Zone?

1,101,129 at the 2007 census, the most recent official count.

What is Waliso known for?

Its hot mineral springs, and its position as the main market town on the Addis Ababa–Jimma road.

What languages are spoken in Southwest Shewa?

Afaan Oromoo is the main language; Amharic and Guragigna are also spoken.