Konta, historically known as Ela, is a zone in the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region. Its administrative centre is Amaya, and Chida is its main trading town. Konta covers 2,381.63 km² and counted 90,846 people in the 2007 census — 44,686 men and 46,160 women — projected to 129,665 for 2022.
Konta was a special woreda under the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, answering directly to the regional government rather than through a zone. It was raised to zone status after the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region was created on 23 November 2021. It remains the region’s smallest zone by population.
Woredas (Districts)
| Woreda | Note |
|---|---|
| Ameya Zuria | Rural district around the zone centre |
| Ela Hanchano | Carries the zone’s historic name |
| Konta Koysha | Eastern district towards the Omo |
| Ameya town | Town administration, zone seat |
The 2007 census counted Konta as a single district. These four units were split out of it later, so no separate population figures are published for them.
Major Towns
| Town | Role |
|---|---|
| Amaya (Ameya) | Zone administrative centre |
| Chida | Main market town, road junction |
Chida sits on the road between Jimma and Sawla and handles most of the zone’s trade, so it is better known outside Konta than the administrative seat. Only 9.09% of the population lived in towns at the 2007 census, one of the lowest urban shares in the region.
Geography
Konta lies at about 6°55′N 36°35′E, in the broken country between the Omo River and the Keffa highlands. The terrain is hilly and steep, and soil erosion is a standing problem on cultivated slopes. Population density was 38.14 people per km² at the census, well below the regional average.
The Omo River separates Konta from the Gofa Zone of South Ethiopia to the south-east, with South Omo further south. Keffa lies to the west, Dawro to the east, and the Jimma Zone of Oromia to the north.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 90,846 residents in 21,854 households. The Konta people made up 85.52%, with smaller numbers of Chara, Wolayta, Kaffa and Amhara. Konta is an Omotic language closely related to Dawurtsho, and Amharic is used in schools and administration.
By religion, 49.11% were Protestant, 43.7% Ethiopian Orthodox and 4.72% followers of traditional beliefs. The 2022 total of 129,665 is a projection; Ethiopia’s last census was in 2007.
Economy & Local Life
Farming is almost entirely smallholder and rain-fed. Enset, sweet potato, taro and beans are the food crops; maize, teff and pulses are grown for sale. Coffee and spices come off the wetter western slopes. The hilly ground and thin soils cap yields, and erosion control is a regular focus of local agriculture offices.
Cattle, goats and sheep are kept in small numbers, mainly for draught, milk and cash at need. Weekly markets at Chida and Amaya bring in traders from Dawro and Jimma.
Getting There
Chida is the entry point. It sits on the road that runs south from Jimma towards Sawla and Arba Minch, and buses from Jimma serve it daily. From the east, a road crosses from Tarcha in Dawro. Amaya is reached by a shorter link road from Chida.
There is no airport in the zone. The nearest scheduled flights land at Jimma, about a day’s travel to the north.
FAQ
Where is Konta Zone?
In south-western Ethiopia, between the Omo River and the Keffa highlands, in the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region.
What is the capital of Konta?
Amaya, also written Ameya. Chida is the larger trading town.
Is Konta a zone or a special woreda?
It is now a zone. Konta was a special woreda under the former Southern Nations region and was raised to zone status with the new region in 2021.
What is the population of Konta?
90,846 at the 2007 census, projected to 129,665 for 2022.
What language is spoken in Konta?
Konta, an Omotic language close to Dawurtsho. Amharic is used for schooling and administration.
What was Konta called before?
Ela. The name is still carried by the Ela Hanchano woreda.