Part of the West Gojjam Zone, Sekela is bordered on the southwest by Bure, on the west by the Agew Awi Zone, on the north by Mecha, on the northeast by Yilmana Densa, on the east by Kuarit, and on the southeast by Jabi Tehnan.

The Lesser Abay River, commonly considered to be the uppermost reach of the Blue Nile, originates in this woreda, and flows north into Lake Tana.

In June 2002, heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in nine kebeles in Sekela and neighboring woredas, which covered or completely washed away more than 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land planted in crops, and destroyed about 8600 quintals of harvested crops.

The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 99.97% reporting that as their religion.

The majority of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 99.96% reporting that as their religion.