Benishangul-Gumuz Region

Benishangul-Gumuz Region

Benishangul-Gumuz, (Amharic:ቤንሻንጉል-ጉምዝ) also known as Benshangul/Gumaz, is one of the nine ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia. Previously known as Region 6, the region's capital is Asosa. Following the adoption of the 1995 constitution, the Region was created from the westernmost portion of the Gojjam province (the part north of the Abay River), and the northwestern portion of the Welega Province (the part south of the Abay). The name of the region comes from two local ethnic groups - Berta (also called as Benishangul) and Gumuz.

Due to its lack of transportation and communications infrastructure, this region faces major challenges to economic development. The Abay divides Benishangul-Gumuz, and there is no bridge crossing this major river in the region. To travel between the regional capital of Assosa and the capital of the Metekel Zone, one must pass through Walega and Gojjam in the neighboring regions of Oromia and Amhara, incurring a travel distance of 1,250 kilometers, versuses 180 had a bridge existed over the Abay. Conditions for travel within zones varies, but is often poor and subject to disruption by the rainy season. On 28 July 2009, the Regional Rural Roads Authority reported that over the previous year almost 600 of the 800 kilometers of local all-weather roads had been upgraded at a cost of 11.5 million Birr, and an additional 447 kilometers of roads constructed.