Sidama (Sidaamu Qoqqowo; Amharic ሲዳማ ክልል) is a region in southern Ethiopia, with Hawassa as its capital. It covers 6,538.17 km² and counted 3,212,944 people in the 2007 census, projected to 4,623,162 for 2022. At roughly 707 people per km², it is one of the most densely settled parts of Ethiopia.
Sidama became a region in its own right on 18 June 2020, after 98.52% of voters backed autonomy in the referendum of 20 November 2019. Before that it was the Sidama Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. It is now divided into four zones and one city administration.
| Capital | Hawassa |
|---|---|
| Area | 6,538.17 km² |
| Population | 3,212,944 (2007 census); 4,623,162 (2022 projection) |
| Zones | 4 zones + Hawassa City administration |
| Main language | Sidaamu Afoo (Sidama) |
| Founded | 18 June 2020 |
Zones & Woredas
The four zones were drawn after 2020 and are newer than the district names used in census tables. Hawassa is administered separately as a city.
| Zone | Woredas and town administrations |
|---|---|
| Central Sidama | Arbegona, Dale, Darara, Loko Abaya, Shafamo, Wensho, Irgalem town |
| Eastern Sidama | Aroresa, Bensa, Bona Zuria, Bura, Chabe Gambeltu, Chere, Daela, Hoko, Daye town |
| Northern Sidama | Bilate Zuria, Boricha, Gorche, Hawassa Zuria, Malga, Shebedino, Wendo Genet, Leku town |
| Southern Sidama | Aleta Wendo, Bursa, Chuko, Dara, Dara Otilcho, Hula, Teticha |
| Hawassa City | Addis Ketema, Bahil Adarash, Hawela Tula, Hayk Dar, Mehal, Menahariya, Misrak, Tabor sub-cities |
Districts by Population
Census tables still report Sidama on its older district boundaries. These figures are the most recent official numbers per district.
| District | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Bensa | 250,727 | 342,116 |
| Boricha | 250,260 | 339,933 |
| Dale | 242,658 | 357,733 |
| Shebedino | 233,922 | 320,639 |
| Aleta Wendo | 188,976 | 276,385 |
| Aroresa | 170,240 | 225,582 |
| Cheko | 167,300 | 225,450 |
| Wendo Genet | 155,715 | 234,490 |
| Dara | 155,265 | 216,756 |
| Arbegona | 135,862 | 186,021 |
| Hula | 129,263 | 176,997 |
| Hawassa Zuria | 124,472 | 161,914 |
| Bona Zuria | 121,236 | 166,043 |
| Chere | 120,449 | 159,944 |
| Malga | 109,793 | 148,377 |
| Gorche | 105,472 | 141,320 |
| Bursa | 103,631 | 137,982 |
| Loko Abaya | 99,233 | 130,539 |
| Wensho | 89,662 | 119,461 |
| Hawassa city | 258,808 | 555,480 |
Major Towns
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Hawassa | 157,139 | 422,200 |
| Yirgalem (Irgalem) | 30,348 | 81,600 |
| Aleta Wendo | 22,093 | 59,300 |
| Chuko | 18,467 | 49,500 |
| Leku | 11,831 | 31,700 |
| Daye | 11,588 | 31,000 |
Other market centres include Wendo Genet, known for its hot springs and forest, Hagere Selam in the western highlands, and Hula in the eastern highlands.
Geography
Sidama sits on the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley, south-east of Lake Hawassa. The Bilate River marks much of the western boundary. Land rises from about 1,700 m on the rift floor around Hawassa to over 3,000 m in the eastern highlands of Bensa, Arbegona and Hula. Several climate belts sit within a short drive of each other.
It borders Oromia to the north and east, Central Ethiopia across the Bilate to the west, and South Ethiopia to the south around Lake Abaya. Lake Hawassa, about 90 km², supplies the region’s fishery and its best-known waterfront.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 3,212,944 residents. In the then Sidama Zone, 1,491,248 were men and 1,462,888 were women, spread over 592,539 households averaging 4.99 people. The Sidama made up 93.01% of that population, followed by Oromo at 2.53% and Amhara at 1.91%. Sidaamu Afoo, a Cushitic language, is the working language of the region and the first language of the large majority.
Urbanisation was low at the census: only 5.51% lived in towns, though Hawassa has grown fast since. The 2022 figure of 4,623,162 is an Ethiopian Statistical Service projection, not a count — Ethiopia has not held a census since 2007.
Economy & Local Life
Sidama is one of Ethiopia’s flagship coffee origins. Washed arabica from Bensa, Aroresa, Chere and Dale is exported under the Sidama name and sold at auction as a distinct grade. Enset, the false banana, is the staple food crop and the backbone of the farming system. Households also grow maize, haricot beans, khat and sugarcane, and keep cattle for milk and manure.
Hawassa anchors the modern economy. The Hawassa Industrial Park, opened on the city’s edge, is Ethiopia’s largest apparel and textile site and employs tens of thousands. Lake Hawassa’s fish market supplies restaurants across the region, and the lakeside draws weekend visitors from Addis Ababa.
Getting There
Hawassa lies about 273 km south of Addis Ababa on the asphalt highway towards Moyale, a drive of roughly four hours. Buses and minibuses run all day from Addis Ababa’s southern terminals. Hawassa Airport sits south-east of the city centre and handles scheduled domestic flights.
Within Sidama, an all-weather road runs south from Hawassa through Leku, Yirgalem, Aleta Wendo and Dara towards Dilla. Roads into the eastern highlands around Bensa, Arbegona and Hula are rougher and slow in the rains.
FAQ
Where is Sidama Region?
Sidama is in southern Ethiopia, on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley around Lake Hawassa, about 273 km south of Addis Ababa.
What is the capital of Sidama?
Hawassa, a lakeside city of about 422,200 people by the 2022 projection. It also served as the capital of the former Southern Nations region.
How many zones does Sidama have?
Four: Central Sidama, Eastern Sidama, Northern Sidama and Southern Sidama, plus the separately administered Hawassa City.
When did Sidama become a region?
On 18 June 2020, following the referendum of 20 November 2019 in which 98.52% voted for regional status.
What language is spoken in Sidama?
Sidaamu Afoo, also called Sidama, a Cushitic language. Amharic and Oromo are also used, and Amharic serves for wider communication.
What is Sidama known for?
Coffee. Sidama arabica is one of Ethiopia’s three headline export origins, alongside Yirgacheffe and Harar.