The terrain in Akobo is predominantly swampy, with few distinguishing high points; elevations range around 410 meters above sea level.

According to the Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy published by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), around 10% of the woreda is forest.

[2] Along with Jekow, Akobo becomes flooded during the rainy season, requiring the people to migrate to the highlands with their cattle until the waters recede; thus raising livestock is the primary source of income in this woreda.

Authorities were concerned about foot-and-mouth disease afflicting the local livestock following the flooding, as well as epidemics of malaria.

The majority of the inhabitants said they were Protestant, with 96.67% of the population reporting they held that belief, while 1.46% professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.