Sidama Zone

Sidama is a Zone in the Ethiopian Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). Sidama is named for the Sidama people, whose homeland is located in this zone.

Sidama is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region except for a short stretch in the middle where it shares a border with Gedeo, on the west by the Bilate River which separates it from Semien Omo, and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. The administrative center for Sidama is Awasa; other towns include Awasa, Irgalem, and Wendo.

The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 63,562 tons of coffee were produced in Sidama and Gideo combined in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 63% of the SNNPR's output and 28% of Ethiopia's total output. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table D.2]

Demographics

Based on figures from the CSA, in 2005 this zone has an estimated total population of 2,938,346, of whom 1,492,715 were males and 1,445,631 were females; 260,050 or 8.9% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 6,832.85 square kilometers, Sidama has an estimated population density of 430.03 people per square kilometer. [CSA 2005 National Statistics, Tables B.3 and B.4]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 8% of the inhabitants of Sidama have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 137.4 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers), [" [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679&entityID=000112742_20030530104124&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679 Ethiopia - Second Road Sector Development Program Project] ", p.3 (World Bank Project Appraisal Document, published 19 May 2003)] the average rural household has 0.3 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 0.89 for the SNNPR) [Comparative national and regional figures comes from the World Bank publication, [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?ImgPagePK=64202990&entityID=000094946_03032704080562&menuPK=64168175&pagePK=64210502&theSitePK=477938&piPK=64210520 Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991] (accessed 23 March 2006).] and the equivalent of 0.5 heads of livestock. 15.4% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a Regional average of 32%. 68% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 18% in secondary schools. 72% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and none to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 329. [ [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Resources/PREM/FourEthiopiasrev6.7.5.May24.pdf World Bank, "Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization"] (accessed 23 March 2006).]

Woredas

*Aleta Wendo
*Arbegona
*Aroresa
*Awasa
*Bensa
*Dale
*Dara
*Hula
*Shebedino

Notes