Why Africa?

When we first shared the idea of manufacturing our footwear in Africa, many thought why? Why or how could anyone want to make shoes in a place full of so much poverty and corruption?

The answer was simple – we never have and still don’t see an Africa that’s categorised by negative generalizations.  Oliberté believes that with the right partners, each country within Africa has the means to grow and support its people. So that’s what we do – Oliberté partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to produce premium footwear in Africa, but we do more than that.  We create fair jobs, with the goal of contributing to the development of a thriving middle class.

It is generally accepted that a thriving middle class is a key component in first world countries.  In Africa, no middle class exists, and so Oliberté’s goal is to build a world class footwear brand that creates thousands of jobs and also encourages manufacturers from other industries to work in Africa.  This can create millions of jobs and help develop an African middle class.

Currently Oliberté operates in Ethiopia, Liberia and Kenya with the goal of expanding to Cameroon, Congo, Uganda and Zambia in the coming years.