The Origin of the Roar
From a shared passion for football to a continental movement, Gofere Sportswear is more than just a brand; it’s a testament to the power of a dream rooted in African soil. It’s the story of three friends who identified a gap in the market and, in filling it, ignited a revolution in the East and Central African sportswear industry.
It all began in 2018 with Samuel Mekonen, Hassen Mohammed, and Selamu Gelaye, three friends united by their love for the beautiful game. They noticed a widespread frustration among fellow football fans: the struggle to find high-quality, affordable, and customizable replica jerseys for their beloved African sports clubs. This shared frustration sparked an idea — to create a local sports brand that would cater specifically to the needs and aspirations of African sports enthusiasts.
Drawing inspiration from the strength and pride of the African lion, they named their brand “Gofere,” an Amharic word meaning “lion’s fur coat.” With just four machines and a bold vision, they began their journey, initially outsourcing some production processes to larger factories in Ethiopia. Their initial focus was clear: to produce high-quality replica jerseys for African sports clubs at an accessible price point.
As demand for their products surged, the founders made a pivotal decision to invest significantly in their own manufacturing capabilities. This led to the establishment of a dedicated, state-of-the-art sportswear factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, positioning the nation as a hub for sportswear excellence with the capacity to serve the entire continent. By 2024, Gofere had transformed into a leading sports brand, with the capacity to produce 6,000 pieces of sportswear daily and 200,000 pieces per month.
Gofere’s impact has extended far beyond the production line. The brand has been instrumental in revolutionizing the sportswear landscape in Ethiopia and beyond. St. George Sports Club, a historic institution in Ethiopian football, transitioned from international brands to Gofere, marking a significant shift towards locally produced, high-quality kits. This move has inspired other professional and amateur clubs to embrace branded and customized jerseys, fostering a new sense of identity and generating additional revenue through replica sales.
The brand’s commitment to quality and service has not gone unnoticed, with sports clubs from across East and Central Africa choosing Gofere for their sportswear needs, citing the brand’s quality, timely delivery, and affordability. Gofere aspires to build on its logistical strengths, with the goal of creating strategic partnerships to deliver its products anywhere on the continent and beyond with unparalleled speed and efficiency.
At its core, Gofere is a brand with a deep commitment to its community. With a workforce of 350, over 90% of whom are women, the company is dedicated to empowering its employees and fostering an inclusive environment. Gofere actively collaborates with Ethiopian universities, offering internships and hands-on experience to the next generation of textile engineers. This focus on capacity building and knowledge transfer is creating a sustainable and skilled local workforce.
The story of Gofere is a journey of passion, perseverance, and a pioneering spirit. It’s a narrative that is continuously unfolding, driven by the ambition to not only be a leading sportswear brand but also a catalyst for positive change in the African sports industry. From a simple idea to a continental roar, Gofere is dressing Africa’s champions and fueling the dreams of athletes and fans alike.