Ethiopia has 12 regional states, which serve as the primary administrative divisions of the country, alongside 2 chartered cities. These regional states form the building blocks of Ethiopia's federal system, each with its own elected government, regional capital, and considerable authority over local affairs ranging from education to land administration.
Ethiopia is one of Africa's most populous and ethnically diverse nations, and its system of regional states is designed to reflect that diversity. The number has grown in recent years as new regions split away from older, larger ones. Below is the complete list, along with the context you need to understand how the country is organised.
The Complete List of Ethiopia's 12 Regional States
The 12 regional states, listed alphabetically, are:
- Afar — a hot, low-lying region in the northeast, home to the Danakil Depression.
- Amhara — in the north-central highlands, containing the historic city of Gondar and Lake Tana.
- Benishangul-Gumuz — in the west, where the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is located.
- Central Ethiopia — one of the newest regions, formed in 2023.
- Gambela — a lowland region in the southwest near the South Sudanese border.
- Harari — the smallest region, centred on the walled city of Harar.
- Oromia — the largest by both area and population, surrounding the capital.
- Sidama — created in 2020 after a referendum, known for its coffee.
- Somali — a vast, arid region in the east bordering Somalia.
- South Ethiopia — formed in 2023 from the former southern region.
- South West Ethiopia — established in 2021.
- Tigray — in the far north, bordering Eritrea.
The Two Chartered Cities
In addition to the 12 regional states, Ethiopia has two self-governing chartered cities that sit outside the regional structure: Addis Ababa, the federal capital and largest city, and Dire Dawa in the east. These cities have a status comparable to that of the regional states, with their own city administrations reporting directly to the federal government. Addis Ababa is also notable as the headquarters of the African Union, making it a diplomatic hub for the entire continent.
How the Federal System Works
Ethiopia adopted a system of ethnic federalism under its 1995 constitution, which reorganised the country into regional states drawn largely along ethnic and linguistic lines. This was a deliberate move away from the centralised governance of earlier eras, intended to grant self-determination to the country's many nations and nationalities. Each regional state has its own legislative council, executive, and judiciary, and in principle the constitution even grants regions the right to secede after a referendum.
This is why the number of regions is not fixed. When communities feel under-represented within a larger region, they can petition for and vote on the creation of a new one. Sidama's split from the former Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) in 2020 was the first such change in decades, and it triggered a wave of further reorganisation that produced South West Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Central Ethiopia.
The Largest and Most Populous Region
Oromia is the largest regional state by both land area and population. It wraps around Addis Ababa on nearly all sides and is home to the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group. Amhara and Somali are the next most significant regions in terms of population and size. At the other end of the scale, Harari is by far the smallest region, built around the ancient fortified city of Harar, while Gambela and Benishangul-Gumuz are among the most sparsely populated.
This contrast captures the scale of Ethiopia's diversity: a single country containing dense highland farming regions, remote desert lowlands, and one of Africa's oldest continuously inhabited walled cities. You can explore more about the country's geography, culture, and major cities in our ethiopia country guide.
A System That Keeps Evolving
It is worth remembering that Ethiopia's administrative map has changed repeatedly throughout its history. Before the current federal structure, the country was divided into provinces (often called kifle hager), and earlier still into a patchwork of kingdoms and provinces under the imperial system. The shift to regional states in the 1990s was one of the most significant reorganisations in the nation's long history. Because the constitution allows for new regions to form, the total of 12 reflects the situation as of the mid-2020s and could increase again if other communities pursue their own statehood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many regions does Ethiopia have in total?
Ethiopia has 12 regional states. Together with the two chartered cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, this gives the country 14 first-level administrative units overall.
What is the capital of Ethiopia?
The capital is Addis Ababa, which is also one of the two chartered cities. It is the country's largest city and serves as the seat of the federal government as well as the African Union.
Which is the largest regional state in Ethiopia?
Oromia is the largest regional state by both area and population. It surrounds the capital, Addis Ababa, and is home to the Oromo people, the country's largest ethnic group.
Why has the number of Ethiopian regions changed recently?
Ethiopia's constitution allows ethnic communities to vote to establish their own regional states. Sidama (2020), South West Ethiopia (2021), and South Ethiopia and Central Ethiopia (both 2023) were all created this way, increasing the total to 12.
