Driving Vision.
Building Legacy. Empowering People.

At Bidco Africa, leadership is more than decision-making—it’s about creating a bold vision for tomorrow and enabling people to thrive in it.

Since our founding in 1985, our leadership has been rooted in the values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity.

Our Philosophy

We believe in servant leadership—where leaders lead from the front, serve with humility, and create an environment where people can do their best work. At the heart of our leadership ethos is a deep responsibility: to deliver value to our consumers, uplift our communities, and care for our planet.

From pioneering sustainable production practices to launching first-in-market innovations like bio-disposable diaper bags, our leaders are driving impact where it matters most; leading with purpose.

Our Journey

1985
BIDCO Commissioned
BIDCO Commissioned

Bidco Soap manufacturing plant was commissioned in Nairobi.

1991
Establishment
Establishment

Bidco Oil Refineries Ltd was established in Thika.

1998
Elianto
Elianto

Elianto Seed Crushing plant
in Nakuru was acquired.

2001
Bidco Tanzania
Bidco Tanzania

Bidco Tanzania Oil and Soap
was commissioned.

2002
New Brands Acquired
New Brands Acquired

Some beloved brands - Kimbo, Cowboy, Veebol and Tiger laundry bar were acquired.

2003
Dar-es-Salam & Uganda
Dar-es-Salam & Uganda

Bidco Refinery Project in Dar-es-Salam and Bidco Uganda were set-up.

2005
Oil Palm Plantation
Oil Palm Plantation

Jinja Complex was commissioned and official launch of Oil Palm plantation in Uganda.

2007
Fractionation plant
Fractionation plant

BIDCO became the pioneer in standards of Fortification by commissioning the Fractionation plant.

2009
Animal feeds production
Animal feeds production

New state of the art soap manufacturing plant was commissioned and Animal feeds production began in Nakuru.

2010
COGEN plant
COGEN plant

COGEN plant was commissioned.

2016
Detergent Manufacturing
Detergent Manufacturing

New state of art Detergent Manufacturing facility was constructed.

2017
Industrial Park
Industrial Park

Bidco Industrial Park was commissioned.

2018
PET Plant
PET Plant

PET Plant was commissioned.

2018
Bidco Beverages
Bidco Beverages plant launched

Bottler partnership with Monarch Beverages (Planet Soda, Planet Aqua water, Bubble Up and American Cola).

Vimal Shah

Chairman & Co-Founder,
Bidco Africa

“ We keep looking at ourselves as startups—reinventing, improving, listening to the market. Change is our
constant .”

As Chairman and Co-Founder of Bidco Africa, East Africa’s most diversified FMCG group, Vimal Shah has spearheaded the growth of a company that today commands 60+ brands across 18 countries, touching millions of households every day. What began in 1985 as a soap venture has, under his vision, become a regional powerhouse built on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders, Vimal continues to raise the bar for enterprise and leadership, driving Bidco’s future growth, mentoring the next generation, and championing sustainable business models. His impact has earned him Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), along with international accolades such as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, East African Entrepreneur of the Year (AABLA), and the East Africa Business Leader of the Future Award.


Beyond Bidco, Vimal is a global voice for Africa, frequently invited to leading business forums across the United States, Middle East, and Asia. In these global conversations, he places Africa at the centre of economic dialogue, advocating for its opportunities, talent, and potential. His voice and vision continue to shape not just industries, but the very fabric of leadership, resilience, and community across the continent.

Tarun Shah

Co-Founder and Director,
Bidco Africa

“Building Sustainable value chains is not just our strategy—it’s our responsibility to Africa’s future.”

Tarun Shah is the Co-Founder and Director of Bidco Africa, where he leads the group’s finance and operations, ensuring cost discipline, productivity, and long-term efficiency. With a strong foundation in accounting and financial management, he has been central to Bidco’s regional growth and diversification, embedding rigorous systems that sustain performance and scale.

He follows the Kaizen principle of continuous improvement, a philosophy that shapes his approach to operations and productivity. At Bidco, Tarun champions operational excellence and best-in-class manufacturing practices, strengthening the company’s position as a manufacturing hub for East Africa and a catalyst for growth across the continent, built on efficiency, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Mihir Shah

Director,
Bidco Africa

"Precision in reporting and clarity in vision—this is how we drive accountability and fuel Bidco’s momentum."

Mihir Shah, Director at Bidco Africa, leads the group’s marketing and brand strategy, driving the creation, rollout, and growth of successful brands that resonate with consumers across East Africa and beyond. He has been instrumental in expanding Bidco’s presence into new markets through exports, while also strengthening the company’s visibility through sales, marketing, and branding initiatives that position Bidco as a modern, consumer-centric powerhouse.

At Bidco, Mihir spearheads the entire marketing vertical, covering product launches, brand management, digital presence, e-commerce platforms, and corporate communications. He also plays a strategic role in business expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border growth initiatives. With an academic foundation from University College London (UCL), he brings both global perspective and local insight to his role, driving Bidco’s next chapter of growth and innovation.

Sanchita Singh

Director,
Bidco Africa

"The best workplaces are designed: by listening, by learning and by valuing people! We value our people and they create value for our company. "

Sanchita Singh is a Director at Bidco Africa, where she drives the development of new categories and strengthens the company’s position as a forward-looking FMCG leader. She combines financial acumen with marketing expertise to shape business strategy, brand development, and organizational leadership, ensuring Bidco’s continued growth in competitive markets.

People-focused and process-driven, Sanchita is relentlessly committed to making Bidco one of the most valued employers and best places to work. She champions standard operating procedures, process improvements, and team development, creating an environment that fosters performance, innovation, and sustainable growth.