Bidco Africa, East and Central Africa’s largest edible oil and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturer, stands as a Kenyan industrial success story built on family entrepreneurship, strategic innovation, and regional expansion.
Founded in 1970 by Bhimji Depar Shah, a visionary businessman born in Mombasa, Bidco has grown from a small garment manufacturer in Nyeri to one of Africa’s most influential consumer goods empires. The company’s name, Bidco, originates from Bhimji’s initials — Bhimji Depar (BID) Company (CO).
Today, Bidco Africa is wholly owned by Hemby Holdings Limited, a private family investment firm led by Bhimji and his sons Vimal Shah and Tarun Shah. As of 2015, the ownership was equally divided among the three.
Leadership and Key Figures
Vimal Shah – Chairman & Co-Founder
Vimal Shah, a finance graduate from USIU-Africa, is widely recognized as one of Kenya’s most influential business leaders. Under his leadership, Bidco evolved from a modest soap factory into a regional powerhouse with over 50 brands distributed in 17 countries.
He has served as Chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the East African Business Council (EABC), and he is also the founder of the Mkenya Daima initiative. For his contributions to entrepreneurship and national development, Vimal has received multiple honorary doctorates and the national honor of Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).
Tarun Shah – Senior Executive Director & Co-Founder
Tarun Shah, the group’s strategic and financial architect, has led Bidco’s diversification into agribusiness, floriculture, and ICT. Known for his operational precision and risk management expertise, he has played a vital role in regional expansion and long-term sustainability, driving Bidco’s commitment to local value chains and environmental responsibility.
Mihir Shah – Corporate Reporting & Treasury Head
Mihir Shah oversees financial governance, compliance, and treasury operations, aligning Bidco’s fiscal policies with its growth strategy. His role ensures the company’s financial resilience and transparency, reinforcing Bidco’s image as a trusted African corporate brand.
Product Portfolio and Market Reach
Bidco Africa produces a wide array of consumer goods that dominate East African shelves. Its most popular product categories include:
- Edible Oils & Fats – Kimbo, Elianto, SunGold, and Golden Fry.
- Soaps & Detergents – Nuru, Power Boy, White Star, and laundry detergents.
- Margarine – Chipsy, a staple for baking and cooking.
- Beverages – Planet Energy drink, Suntop juices (in partnership with CO-RO Denmark).
- Personal Care Products – Gaea, Pure & Natural soaps.
- Animal Feeds – Produced in partnership with Land O’Lakes.
With Kimbo and Elianto leading the market, Bidco has solidified its reputation as the largest edible oil producer in East and Central Africa.
From Humble Beginnings to Industrial Dominance
Bidco’s journey began as a garment manufacturing firm in 1970 before venturing into soap production in 1985, relocating to Nairobi to expand its reach. The company launched its edible oil division in 1991 by establishing a refinery in Thika, signaling its transformation into an FMCG leader.
In 1998, Bidco made its first major acquisition by purchasing Elianto from Unga Group, followed by the acquisition of Kimbo and Cowboy brands from Unilever in 2002 — a move that cemented its dominance in the edible oil sector.
The company then expanded to Uganda in 2005, setting up the Bidco Uganda Limited complex in Jinja, catering to regional and export markets. Over the years, it diversified into personal care (2011) and beverages (2018) through global partnerships.
Bidco Today
Now operating over 13 factories and managing 40+ brands distributed across 17 African countries, Bidco Africa continues to champion innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in manufacturing.
From its humble origins in Nyeri to becoming a continental industrial leader, Bidco Africa reflects the power of Kenyan entrepreneurship and family-driven success, shaping East Africa’s manufacturing landscape for over five decades.
