The Foundation of Sawla(Felege Neway) The town was founded in 1959 during the reign of Emperor Hayile Silassie.
On 1 July 2008, the Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives voted to ratify a US$9 million loan agreement signed with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for the implementation of a rural electrification project linking Sawla and Key Afer in Hamer Bena woreda.