Keffa, also written Kaffa or Kafa, is a zone in the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region and the seat of its regional government. Its administrative centre is Bonga. The zone counted 874,716 people in the 2007 census, projected to 1,228,253 for 2022, which makes it the most populous of the region’s six zones.
Keffa is named after the Kingdom of Kaffa, which ruled these highlands until 1897. It stayed in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region until 23 November 2021. A referendum then created the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region, with Bonga as capital.
Woredas (Districts)
| Woreda | Administrative centre |
|---|---|
| Adiyo | Kaka |
| Bita | Bita |
| Chena | Wacha |
| Cheta | Shama |
| Decha | Awurada |
| Gesha | Deka |
| Gewata | Konda |
| Gimbo | Ufa |
| Goba | Uda Dish |
| Menjiwo | not reported |
| Sayilem | Yadota |
| Shishonde | Shishinda |
| Telo | Oda |
Bonga, Wacha, Awurada, Deka and Shishinda are also run as town administrations alongside the woredas.
District Populations
National tables still report Keffa on its 2007 district boundaries. Adiyo, Goba and Shishonde were created later and are counted inside the districts they were cut from.
| District | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Chena | 158,449 | 222,310 |
| Decha | 128,887 | 175,261 |
| Menjiwo | 107,731 | 144,128 |
| Gimbo | 89,892 | 130,328 |
| Gesha Deka | 85,104 | 115,451 |
| Bita | 74,577 | 100,830 |
| Gewata | 72,473 | 96,270 |
| Telo | 63,252 | 87,160 |
| Sayilem | 40,874 | 55,991 |
| Cheta | 32,619 | 44,479 |
| Bonga town | 20,858 | 56,045 |
Major Towns
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Bonga | 20,858 | 56,045 |
| Wacha | not reported | 28,300 |
Bonga holds the regional government, Bonga University, the zone hospital and the main coffee market. Wacha, the centre of Chena woreda, is the second trading town. Shishinda, Awurada, Deka and Kaka are smaller woreda centres with weekly markets.
Geography
Keffa is high, wet and forested. Most of the zone lies between 1,500 m and 2,500 m, and Bonga stands at about 1,700 m. Rain falls over most of the year, feeding the Gojeb River on the northern boundary and the headwaters that run south towards the Omo.
It borders Sheka to the west, Bench Sheko to the south-west, Konta to the east, and the Jimma Zone of Oromia across the Gojeb to the north.
The Kafa Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO in 2010, covers a large part of the zone. It protects montane rainforest where Coffea arabica still grows wild, along with colobus monkeys, forest antelope and hundreds of bird species.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 874,716 residents. Most live in rural kebeles; Bonga is the only town of any size. The 2022 total of 1,228,253 is a projection, since Ethiopia’s last census was in 2007.
The Kafecho are the largest group at 82.72% of the population, and Kafa, an Omotic language, is the first language of 82.49%. Amharic is the second language of trade and schooling. By religion, 61.42% were Ethiopian Orthodox, with Protestant and Muslim minorities.
Economy & Local Life
Coffee defines Keffa. The zone is one of the places where Coffea arabica originated, and the name Kaffa is widely held to be the source of the English word coffee. Farmers still harvest forest and semi-forest coffee from wild and managed trees rather than plantations, and the crop is graded and sold through Bonga.
Alongside coffee, households grow enset, maize, teff, barley and spices, notably korarima and long pepper. Forest honey is a significant cash earner and Keffa hives supply markets well beyond the zone. Cattle are kept in smaller numbers than in the drier south, mainly for milk and ploughing.
Getting There
Bonga lies about 450 km south-west of Addis Ababa. The route runs through Jimma, then south-west over the Gojeb; buses take a full day, or half a day from Jimma. From Bonga, roads continue west to Tepi in Sheka and south to Mizan Aman in Bench Sheko.
There are no scheduled flights to Bonga. The nearest airports with regular service are at Jimma and Mizan Teferi.
FAQ
Where is Keffa Zone?
In south-western Ethiopia, about 450 km from Addis Ababa via Jimma, in the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region.
What is the capital of Keffa Zone?
Bonga, which is also the capital of the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region.
How many woredas are in Keffa Zone?
Thirteen woredas, plus town administrations at Bonga, Wacha, Awurada, Deka and Shishinda.
Is Keffa the origin of coffee?
Wild Coffea arabica grows in the Keffa forests, and the zone is one of the plant’s original homes. The name Kaffa is widely linked to the word coffee.
What language is spoken in Keffa?
Kafa, an Omotic language, spoken as a first language by 82.49% of residents at the 2007 census.
What is the population of Keffa Zone?
874,716 at the 2007 census, projected to 1,228,253 for 2022.