Patmoz
By Njeri Irungu
Nairobi, Kenya – July 30, 2025 — Global stationery and personal care giant BIC has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Kenya’s economic growth, local job creation, and regional trade integration, during a media tour of its Kasarani-based manufacturing facility in Nairobi.
The tour highlighted the company’s robust local manufacturing operations, which serve both domestic and export markets across East Africa. The Kasarani plant, which produces millions of units annually, is a critical pillar of BIC’s global Horizon strategy—launched in 2020—focused on expanding product categories through consumer-driven innovation and localized production.
“Local manufacturing is at the very heart of our operations,” said Paloma Lengema, General Manager at BIC East Africa. “We are immensely proud to play a significant role in strengthening regional value chains, creating meaningful employment, and delivering products that meet local needs through sustainable practices. Our Nairobi plant is far more than just a production site; it’s a strategic asset that actively supports Kenya’s industrialization goals and contributes to BIC’s global growth.”
Since launching its East African subsidiary in 2019—after previously operating through local distributor HACO Industries—BIC has employed over 300 Kenyans, helping to support hundreds of families and stimulate the local economy. The company’s operations now power a wide-reaching supply chain and distribution network, supporting numerous indirect jobs in logistics, retail, and other service industries.
Beyond its economic contributions, BIC East Africa has also invested heavily in education through initiatives aligned with its global Writing the Future, Together agenda, which aims to improve learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025. In Kenya, the “Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen” campaign has distributed 1.5 million pens, benefiting over 150,000 students this year alone. Another flagship program, “Express Myself with My BIC Pen,” has empowered more than 50,000 students across the country through creative writing and self-expression.
BIC’s broader East African portfolio includes not just stationery but also lighters and shavers, reflecting the company’s growing footprint in consumer goods across the region. As it continues to deepen its investments, BIC says Kenya will remain a strategic hub for its long-term plans in Africa.
With a presence in over 160 countries and a workforce of 13,000 globally, BIC remains a trusted brand with a legacy of innovation spanning over 80 years.
Shadrack Nyakoe
