Yabello

Yabello is a town in southern Ethiopia and the administrative capital of the Borena Zone within the Oromia Region. It serves as a regional commercial and administrative hub for the surrounding pastoralist communities and lies in a part of the country characterized by semi-arid conditions and seasonal rainfall.

The population is predominantly Oromo, including the Borana subgroup, with other ethnic communities present in the broader Borena area. The local economy centers on livestock herding, trading, and small-scale agriculture. A weekly market and regular trading activity draw people from nearby woredas, making Yabello an important center for cattle, goat, and sheep commerce.

In terms of infrastructure, Yabello hosts regional government offices and provides basic educational and health services to residents of the zone. The town is connected by road to other towns in the Oromia region and serves as a link to routes toward the Kenyan border, supporting regional mobility and cross-border trade in livestock and goods.

Historically, the area has been shaped by Borana Oromo pastoralism and traditional governance structures that have adapted to changing political and economic conditions in Ethiopia. The climate is typically semi-arid, with variability in rainfall that affects grazing and farming. Development initiatives in recent years have aimed to improve market access, public services, and resilience to climate-related challenges in and around Yabello.