When billionaire Bhimji Depar Shah founded Bidco Industries in 1970, the business was a modest garment manufacturer.
Nobody could have predicted that half a century later, the venture would grow into one of East Africa’s leading consumer goods empires.
He has employed thousands and generated revenues running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Billionaire Bhimji Depar Shah Growth From Garments to Edible Oils
The rise of Bidco was gradual but calculated. After starting out in garments, the company ventured into soap manufacturing in 1985.
In 1991, Shah completely changed Bidco’s future by launching an edible oil plant in Thika, an industrial hub in Nairobi.
The entry into edible oils cemented Bidco’s place in the market, and by the early 2000s, the company was one of the largest producers in Kenya, serving millions of households.
Currently, Bidco Africa grosses over Ksh39 billion ($300 million) annually from its wide portfolio of consumer products.
Additionally, its brands are marketed in 13 African countries, reflecting both its regional influence and ambitions.
Also Read: The Billionaires of Kenya: Meet Mary-Ann Musangi, Woman Chosen to Rebrand Magical Kenya
Expansion and Investment
Bidco’s most significant recent investment is the Ksh26 billion ($200 million) Bidco Industrial Park in Kiambu County.
The facility, launched in 2019 by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, sits on 80 acres and is equipped with modern infrastructure to support large-scale food and beverage production.
The park features a 550,000-litre-per-day effluent treatment plant, a 90,000-litre-per-hour water filtration system, and a 66-kilovolt power station capable of supplying 7.5 megawatts of electricity to the factory.
Construction of the complex began in 2016 as part of Bidco’s strategy to diversify beyond its traditional stronghold in edible oils and soaps.
Speaking during the launch, Bidco Africa’s chairman, Vimal Shah, Bhimji’s son, said the new industrial park will house new product lines, including a range of breakfast cereals and beverages.
“Bidco’s future is not just about cooking oil or soap. It’s about creating a diversified African brand that can compete globally,” he said.
Also Read: The Billionaires of Kenya: Inside the Quiet Empire of Humphrey Kariuki
Rising to the Top of Kenya’s Billionaires List
According to a 2022 report by Oxfam International, which examined wealth inequality in Kenya, Shah was ranked as Kenya’s second richest individual.
The report noted that the combined wealth of Kenya’s two richest men exceeds that of 16.5 million ordinary citizens, highlighting the deep economic disparities in the country.
Sameer Naushad Merali, son of the late industrialist Naushad Merali, retained his top position with a net worth of $790 million (Sh89.6 billion).
However, a 2025 Knight Frank report estimated his wealth at Ksh85 billion.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
