Executives depart Bidco Africa as company shifts leadership structure

KENYA – In a surprising turn of events, three top executives have exited Bidco Africa, a leading edible oil manufacturer, less than two years after joining the company from the UK multinational Diageo.

Gerald Mahinda, former Managing Director of Dance Africa Corporation, alongside John K’Otieno and Baker Magunda, a Nigerian national, left the firm last month.

Mahinda, who previously led Diageo and Heineken NV joint venture Brandhouse South Africa, was serving as the CEO of Dance Africa Corp, a Bidco Africa subsidiary.

Magunda held the position of Chief Growth Officer at Dance Africa Corporation, and K’Otieno headed operations at the subsidiary based in Mauritius.

“Today marks the transition of our leadership as our esteemed Board of Directors takes the helm to steer us toward our next chapter, while we bid farewell to valued colleagues,” Bidco Africa Chairman Vimal Shah said while announcing the leadership transition.

“Baker Magunda, Gerald Mahinda, and John K’Otieno, who will no longer hold any position within our Group with immediate effect.”

All three executives were also former Diageo executives and joined Bidco Africa in November 2022 with the mandate to lead the company’s expansion efforts across the continent.

The company, known for household products such as Elianto and Kimbo, was keen on achieving substantial growth.

Gerald Mahinda was appointed CEO of the newly-created Dance Africa Corp, set to lead the expansion efforts.

Bidco Africa Executive Chairman Vimal Shah revealed that the newly established Dance Africa Corp would act as a holding company under which the company plans to expand its operations.

 “Dance Africa is becoming a mother ship. Once these small boats come onto the mother ship, they all come and own the ship and on-board their business,” Shah explained.

According to the company, the leadership changes align with Bidco Africa’s goal of establishing a continental company in Africa.

The company aims to tap into the projected increase in consumer and business expenditure in Africa, expected to rise from US$4 trillion in 2015 to US$6.6 trillion in 2030, according to Statista.

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