When Goans first emigrated to the African continent they came as merchants and traded in the many wares in which the continent was rich and similarly imported goods by dhows from India. The whole foreign trade in Zanzibar was in the hands of Goans and Arabs and many built up very prosperous establishments. Later on they expanded their activities and transferred their headquarters on the Mombasa Island as that Port gained in importance and all East African trade passed through this gate. Firms like, Souza Junior & Sons, M. R. D'Souza & Co., C. P V. Rodrigues & Co., Saldanha & Co., A. C D'Souza & Co. had practically collared up the whole town's business which flourished as Kenya Uganda and Tanganyika gained more and more importance in international affairs. Gradually branches were opened in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja, and upto the year of 1930 kept their establishments going, but when in 1931 severe depression set in and there was slump in the prices some of the well-known firms like Souza Junior & Sons, M. R. D'Souza & Co had to close many of their branches and give up many of the lines of business. Of all these firms only Messrs. M. P. D'Mello & Co. remains to this day in Nairobi which is being carried on by the late proprietor's son. The Zenith Printing Works Ltd., Nairobi, whose Chairman and Managing Director is Mr. F. C. Barreto, is a modern and flourishing concern-an example to others as to what can be achieved by hard work.
For a long period the whole of the bakery and liquor trade was in the hands of Goans and many of them made fortunes out of it. To-day we see only the Nairobi Bakery existing. This was probably the first concern of its kind in Nairobi. The tailoring was also practically in the hands of Goans and many had their own establishments, but to-day most of the Goan tailors are serving for big Indian and European concerns. Besides Goans, there were not many tailors of any other nationality, therefore a united effort could have kept this buseness in our hands. It is a pity that Tailor's Union which is other wise based on Trade Union lines, did not work to hold a monopoly in this respect.
Upcountry in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale and Kisumu, Goan merchants have come and gone, except in Kisumu where we find two very old firms of Costa & Co. and Kisumu Stores owned by Mr. J. P. Menezes. Uganda can be proud of still maintaining the Goan reputation in trade and some of the firms like K. O. C. Figuiedo & Co., Pinto & Son and several others carry weight and respect in the trading circles. Above all there was one who was a business magnate and that is late Mr. Norman Godinho whose name is mentioned in all large concerns and who is now succeeded by his son with equal business acumen. Goans have penetrated further in Tanganyika and Belgian Congo and have prosperous business houses.
Original firms of Nazareth & Bros., Joseph & Sons, Thimoty D'Souza & Co., M. R. D'Souza & Co., Souza Junior & Sons in Nairobi were pioneers in trade and had become very prosperous.
It will be seen that, though many Goans have made fortunes in this country hardly any one has donated anything towards the Community to which they belonged, with the notable exception of Dr. R. Ribeiro and Mr. Norman Godinho. It is a pity that all these Goans did not conscientiously feel their obligations towards their Community in donating part of their wealth in establishing charitable or beneficial institutions for the uplift of the Goan brethren who are generally known as a poor community.
It is a bitter fact to note that all the trade has passed away from our hands due to neglect of our leaders for no encouragement was ever given either to continue or start afresh in business life. The only occupation that induced most of our young men to take up was of easy going quill drivers. We have lost our chance and may never be able to regain our position in the commercial circles unless concerted action is taken now and efforts made to push our young men into trade, otherwise we may regret the day for not acting quickly and it may be too late when the market is flooded with clerks and unemployment again shows its face.