Global flavour, fragrance and ingredient solutions company dsm-firmenich has expanded its footprint in East Africa with the official opening of a new office and a state-of-the-art Application Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, reinforcing its long-term investment in regional innovation, customer collaboration and technical excellence.
The new facility, located at The Cube on Riverside Drive, Nairobi, was unveiled on January 29, 2026, during a high-level opening ceremony attended by customers, industry partners, development organisations, trade associations and diplomatic representatives. The launch marks a significant step in dsm-firmenich’s strategy to deepen its presence across Kenya and the wider East African market.
The company said the Nairobi office will serve as a regional hub, strengthening service delivery across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and neighbouring markets. The facility is designed to bring technical, commercial and innovation teams closer to customers, enabling faster product development, improved localisation and solutions tailored to regional tastes and regulatory requirements.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the centrepiece of the new facility is the Application Centre, built specifically to support co-creation with food and beverage manufacturers. During the launch event, visitors were guided through live demonstrations covering beverages, bakery, confectionery, dairy and savoury applications, highlighting rapid prototyping capabilities and market-ready formulation support aligned with East African consumer insights.
Speaking at the event, Imaan Gaffore, Vice President, Sales Taste for Africa, Middle East and Turkey, described the opening as a strategic investment rather than a symbolic expansion, noting that the facility would help combine global expertise with strong local capability to deliver long-term value across the region.
East Africa’s fast-growing population, increasing urbanisation and rising demand for nutritious, convenient and culturally relevant food products are key drivers behind the investment. With more than 60 per cent of the region’s population under the age of 25, consumption patterns are shifting rapidly, creating new opportunities for innovation in food, beverage, nutrition and personal care products.
The company also highlighted Kenya’s emerging role as a regional manufacturing and innovation hub, supported by a growing food processing sector and expanding scientific talent base. Industry projections estimate Africa’s food and beverage market could reach US$1 trillion by 2030, with East Africa expected to be the fastest-growing sub-region.
In addition to food and beverage solutions, the Nairobi launch showcased dsm-firmenich’s Health, Nutrition and Care portfolio, including fortification solutions aimed at improving access to healthier products. The company’s Perfumery and Beauty offerings were also presented, featuring fragrance concepts inspired by East African consumer preferences and cultural insights.
With the opening of the Nairobi office and Application Centre, dsm-firmenich said it is entering a new phase of operations in East Africa, focused on deeper customer partnerships, faster innovation cycles and a stronger on-the-ground presence to support manufacturers responding to evolving consumer needs across the region.
