Every pair of Oliberté shoes is made at the Fair Trade Certified™ Oliberté Ethiopia factory. By owning our own factory, our team is able to have absolute say in quality and manufacturing while creating sustainable fulltime jobs completely supported by our customers and fans. It also allows our Ethiopian team to create the kind of workplace they believe in—one with opportunities to form workers’ unions, dictate breaks, get full benefits, and more.

In September, 2013, we became the world’s first Fair Trade Certified footwear manufacturing factory.

Our Ethiopia team passed rigorous inspections and over 255 compliance standards to make it happen. This means we meet environmental standards, have weekly doctor visits for employees, support workers’ rights, and proceeds contribute to a community premium. And we are continually working to improve. Learn more >

Ours is a shared journey, both as part of a movement of greater transparency in the footwear and apparel industries, and so our consumers can see the impact and conditions of manufacturing our goods.

 

No one can stand alone. We’re proud to have these great partners
to source from and work with in Ethiopia.

DAGNACHEW ACHEBE BAG DESIGN

Composed of a team of 6 to 8 fulltime employees and located in the outskirts of Addis Ababa. This is where we get all of our bags and wallets made. Owner and manager Dagnachew has been essential to Oliberte and even joins in on handcrafting our bags with his team.

ETHIOPIA LEATHER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (ELIA)

We are proud to be a member of this association, which helps us build strong networks. Workers who show dedication to the craft are able to take classes here, funded by Oliberte.

HAFDE LEATHER TANNERY

A bustling tannery outside of Addis Ababa with over 300 employees who work in everything from mechanical engineering to leather tanning, this is where we source nearly all of our leather. It is the only tannery in the world to have a Chrome-3 recycling system.