Abstract: Grain yield and oil content of sesame are usually low, depending on genetic variability and association of relevant characters with grain yield and oil content. Hence, the objectives of this research were estimating the genetic variability and association among characters. Eighty one sesame genotypes were tested in 9x9 simple lattice design at Kebabo Tsegede wereda Western Tigray, Ethiopia in 2010/11 cropping season. Analysis of variance revealed that there was highly significant (p<0.01) difference among the 81 genotypes for all the 15 characters studied. High genotypic and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was recorded for harvest index, seed yield/ha, height to first capsule, biomass/ha, number of capsules/ha, number of primary branches/ha, number of seeds per capsule and plant height. Height to first capsule had the highest heritability value. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for number of primary branches per plant, height to first capsule and harvest index. This indicates that these characters can be improved through selection. Harvest index showed positive significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with grain yield. Genotypically, path coefficient analysis based on grain yield as a dependent variable revealed that capsule filling period by days to 50% flowering and biological yield exerted positive direct effect on seed yield. Therefore, a greater emphasis should be laid on these characters in perspective of breeding programs.