Bidco Africa, a leading consumer goods manufacturer in East Africa, was founded in 1970 by Bhimji Depar Shah, a Kenyan industrialist born in Mombasa.
The name “Bidco” is derived from the initials of Bhimji Depar Shah. He was later joined by his sons, Vimal Shah and Tarun Shah, who played pivotal roles in the company’s expansion.
Bidco Africa’s stock is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hemby Holdings Limited, a privately held investment holding company of Bhimji Depar Shah and his family.
As of 2015, the ownership of Bidco Africa was equally divided among Bhimji Depar Shah, Vimal Shah, and Tarun Shah.
Top management at Bidco Africa
Vimal Shah
Chairman & Co-Founder. Vimal Shah is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Bidco Africa, East Africa’s leading FMCG company with over 50 brands in 17 countries. A finance graduate from USIU, he transformed Bidco from a small soap factory into a regional powerhouse through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Vimal Shah is a recognized business leader, former chairman of the Kemya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) and the East Africa Business Council (EABC), and founder of Mkenya Daima. For his impact on African entrepreneurship, he received the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) and multiple honorary doctorates.
Tarun Shah (Senior Executive Director and Co-Founder, Bidco Africa)
Tarun Shah is the Senior Executive Director and Co-Founder of Bidco Africa. With a background in finance and accounting, he has led Bidco’s regional expansion and diversification into agribusiness, floriculture, and ICT.
Tarun Shah plays a key role in strategic planning and risk management, ensuring operational excellence across Bidco’s multi-sector operations. He is a strong advocate for building local value chains and sustainable business practices across Africa.
Mihir Shah (CRT Head at Bidco Africa Ltd.)
Mihir Shah leads the Corporate Reporting & Treasury (CRT) division at Bidco Africa Ltd, overseeing financial risk management, compliance, and strategic treasury operations. With a keen eye on governance and sustainable growth, he plays a key role in aligning Bidco’s financial structures with its long-term business goals.
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His experience spans financial control, cash flow optimization, and stakeholder reporting, contributing to Bidco’s reputation as a financially resilient and forward-thinking FMCG leader.
Popular Product Categories
- Edible oils & fats
Bidco brands include Kimbo, Elianto, SunGold, and Golden Fry. The category also includes vegetable oils, cooking fats, and fortified oils.
- Soaps and detergents
Includes bar soaps (like Nuru, Power Boy), laundry detergents, and personal hygiene products.
- Margarine
The major product is Chipsy, sold for cooking and baking.
- Beverages
Includes energy drinks (Planet Energy), carbonated soft drinks, and juices.
- Personal care products
Toiletries (bath soaps, beauty soaps) under brands like Gaea, Pure & Natural.
- Animal feeds
Manufactures animal and poultry feed in partnership with Land O’Lakes.
These products are available under numerous trusted brands, with Kimbo and Elianto being some of the most recognized edible oil brands in Kenya and the region.
Bidco Africa also produces laundry bars, beauty soaps, and beverages distributed in 17 countries across Africa.
History
The company was founded in 1970 by Bhimji Depar Shah in Nyeri, Kenya, as a garment manufacturer.
In 1985, Bidco entered the soap manufacturing business, relocating to Nairobi and launching well-known brands like Kuku, Sabasaba, and White Star.
The edible oil segment was launched in 1991 with the establishment of a state-of-the-art refinery in Thika, boosting Bidco’s standing in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturing.
A milestone acquisition came in 1998, when Bidco purchased the Elianto edible oil brand from Unga Group, its first major brand acquisition.
In 2002, Bidco acquired the iconic Kimbo and Cowboy brands from Unilever, significantly expanding its edible oil and fats portfolio.
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Bidco further expanded regionally, opening the Bidco Uganda Limited complex in Jinja in 2005 to serve local and export markets.
The company diversified into personal care and beauty products in 2011, starting with the “Pure and Natural Bar” soap.
In 2018, Bidco entered the beverage market by partnering with the Danish company CO-RO to launch Suntop juices, marking its foray into beverages.
Today, Bidco Africa operates over 13 factories, owns more than 40 brands, and distributes its products to at least 17 African countries. It is the region’s largest FMCG manufacturer.
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