Revealed: Secrets behind thriving Indian immigrant entrepreneurs

Atul Shah,Managing Director,Nakumatt Holdings Atul Shah,Managing Director,Nakumatt Holdings during the interview at the Westgate shopping mall's parking,Nairobi. September 6th,2014. Photo/Elvis Ogina (Nairobi)

Forbes magazine released its annual list of Africa’s richest people. On the list, are two billionaires — Bidco Oil’s Bhimji Depar Shah, with an estimated networth of $700 million (Sh63 billion) and Sameer Group’s Naushad Merali ($550 million or Sh49.5 billion).

Bhimji is the father of Bidco Oil CEO Vimal Shah, who was listed last year with a family net worth $1.6 billion (Sh144 billion). Merali and Bhimji have one thing in common. They are Kenyans of Indian origin. The Indian population in Kenya is estimated to be about 100,000. Many of them, just like Bhimji and Merali, are founders and chief executives of some of the most successful businesses.