Gofa Sefer, beyond Cherkos and Kera to the south, is a densely populated and heavily congested residential and commercial district specialising in spare parts for heavy vehicles. Housing is mainly in small state-owned homes and shanty dwellings.

Still further to the south on Debre Zeit Road lies Nefas Silk, the citys main industrial area. Bounded by the ring road to the east and just a short distance from Bole international airport, it hosts a large concentration of light industries manufacturing textiles, soap, foam and hides, among other things.

The main roads are extremely congested with people and traffic and pollution is bad. Debre Zeit Road leads to the volcanic region of Debre Zeit, some 45 kilometres southeast of the capital, whose seven crater lakes are a magnet for bird life.