Mr. Vimal Shah (BIDCO Owner)

Vimal Shah is the Chairman of Bidco Africa, East Africa’s leading manufacturer of Edible Oils, Hygiene and Personal Care products, and Food & Beverages. Bidco has over 60 brands and a footprint in 18 African countries. He is a distinguished global leader who is making an impactful difference in all fronts. A believer in the growth and a robust economic potential in Africa and its people. Vimal is passionate about Entrepreneurship and believes, living the true spirit, that it is the strong pillar that will move an Economic Africa forward. Born in Kenya in 1960, Vimal went through his education in Kenya, going ahead to acquire an Accounting and Finance – Business Administration degree from United States International University – Africa, Nairobi Campus, that set the pace for his interest in Entrepreneurship. With a short-lived career in Insurance, Vimal’s aggression and enterprising spirit steered him to taking a bold move to set up a new direction for the family-owned business in textile manufacturing. Backed by a well-researched strategy, business was shaky and Vimal, coming together with his father B. D. Shah (whose name coined up the name BIDCO) and his elder brother Tarun Shah, moved to set foot in soap manufacturing in 1985 – founding BIDCO. The humble beginning in a small business unit was able to wade through raging waters of competition, tough economic times and uncertain sources of capital for expansion to become one of the leading consumer goods manufacturers in East Africa today. Under their leadership, they led the strategic growth and expansion that saw entry into Uganda, Tanzania and Madagascar with manufacturing units to serve the markets. Vimal has also been in the frontline to crafting multiple winning partnerships – one of the key pillars that has set Bidco apart from its peers. The partnerships include joint ventures with leading global brands such as Wilmar with whom the Bidco Uganda Ltd partnership was begun in agribusiness and Oil Palm Plantations, Coro – a leading juices manufacturer in Denmark and Monarch Beverages of Atlanta, USA – from whom Bidco’s license for beverage brands is. In 2016, Bidco also partnered with Land O’Lakes of America, a leading farmers’ owned agribusiness cooperative, to revamp the company’s animal feeds manufacturing – borrowing from the top-notch technology and innovation. He has also, over the years, championed Innovation and initiatives towards a world-class excellence in the company’s operations that has earned Bidco numerous awards, accolades and global recognition in Energy Management, Business Leadership, ICT, Manufacturing and Sustainability fronts.
AWARDS, ACCOLADES AND HONOURS
Vimal has received numerous recognition for his dedicated service in Kenya and across the globe that has seen greater impact through multiple business and socio-economic activities. These include:

• Being awarded a First-Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S) in 2011 – the highest National Honour and a Presidential Commendation by the Former President of Kenya – Mwai Kibaki, for his contribution to Business, Entrepreneurship in Kenya and Economic Sustainability and Growth in the region.
• Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S) – Presidential Commendation for his contribution to Business, Entrepreneurship in Kenya and Economic Sustainability and Growth in the region.
• Presented with the Fastest Growing Business of the Year Award during the Jain Diaspora Business Achievement Awards in association with KPMG held in London. He won this for his sustained commitment to fostering a rapid culture of development in Agriculture, Floriculture, ICT and Outsourcing that helped Bidco see and explore the connection between Success and Performance.
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011.
• Chancellor – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
• Awarded a Doctorate; Doctor of Humane Letters for High Standards of Excellence of Scholarship and Creative Work – KCA University.
• East African Entrepreneur of the Year – Award by All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa. CEO of the Year – Award by the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).
• East Africa Business Leader of the Future – East African Business Awards. Fellow of the Institute Of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (CPSK).