| Coordinates | 7°4′0″N 38°0′0″E |
|---|---|
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Established | 19 August 2023 |
| Capital | Hosaena |
| Chief Administrator | Endashaw Tassew |
| Unit pref | Metric |
| Area total | 15098.97 km² |
| Population total | 6,546,217[1] |
| Population as of | 2025 |
| Population rank | 3rd |
| Website | Central Ethiopia Regional Government Communication Affairs bureau |
The Central Ethiopia Regional State is a regional state in Ethiopia.[2] It was formed from northern part of the then Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) on 19 August 2023. Its formation was effected when South Ethiopia Regional State was established after a successful referendum from the former SNNPR. The largest ethnic groups in the region are the Gurage and Hadiya, constituting 70 percent of the region's population, and the inaugural president hails from the Gurage people.[3]
Hosaina is the seat to the executive branch of government, whereas Welkite is the seat to the legislative branch of government (the regional parliament). Other regional bureaus were established in Butajira, Durame, Halaba Kulito, Saja and Worabe.
Chief administrator
- Endashaw Tassew, 19 August 2023–present[4]
Administrative divisions
The following list shows founding and newly established Zones and Special Woreda in Central Ethiopia Regional State.
| No. | Zone/Special Woreda | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Gurage Zone | Butajira |
| 2 | Gurage Zone | Welkite |
| 3 | Hadiya Zone | Hosaena |
| 4 | Halaba Zone | Halaba Kulito |
| 5 | Kembata Zone | Durame |
| 6 | Siltʼe Zone | Worabe |
| 7 | Yem Zone | Saja |
| 8 | Kebena Special Woreda | Wosherbe |
| 9 | Mareko Special Woreda | Koshe |
| 10 | Tembaro Special Woreda | Mudula |
References
- ^ "Projected Population of Ethiopia 2025". Ethiopian Statistical Service. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "Ethiopia's two new regional states formed : Central, South Ethiopia". Archived 2023-09-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "Central Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia Regional States Established". www.ena.et. Archived 2023-09-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "Ethiopia Regions". Worldstatesmen.org. Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2023.