A Japanese Pharmaceutical company, Rohto Mentholatum, has invested more than Ksh100 million to establish a business hub in Nairobi to market healthcare and beauty products in the Eastern Africa region. Country Director Fumiko Akojima said the regional hub will introduce products tailored for specific needs.
Akojima said the company will focus on Acnes, Selsun and Deep Heat products, which contain anti-dandruff scalp shampoo with one percent Selenium. “We have come to Kenya to invest due to growing population and strategic gateway to East and Central Africa and introduction of Rohto Mentholatum marks a major milestone in its heritage and mission’” said Akojima.
He said that Rohto Mentholatum Kenya brings innovation and wealth of experience in the design and development of high quality consumer healthcare products and cosmetics. “I am also privileged to introduce a range of scalp care products in Kenya called ROOTIA which will give opportunity to grow health hair,” she said.
Kenya Investment Authority (Ken Invest) Managing Director Moses Ikiaria welcomed the move by the company to have its regional headquarters in Nairobi, saying it will benefit from the country’s highly educated and skilled young population.
Ikiara said that Kenya is the fifth largest economy South of the Sahara with educated, qualified and skilled youthful labour force. “The Kenya Government is building an enabling environment to attract investment and improve the ease of doing business,” said Ikiara.
Ikiara said that with Japan heavily involved in transformation of infrastructure in Kenya, the launch of Rohto is a testimony of Japan’s commitment to cement a healthy trading relationship. The company was incorporated in Kenya in May 2013 with the aim of expanding its network in Africa.
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