Are you looking for the cheapest businesses to start in Africa? There are lots of business opportunities scattered across the African continent. Despite obvious challenges like poverty, Africa is evolving at a fast rate. Small businesses spring up daily, contributing majorly to the GDP of diverse countries in Africa. In Nigeria, SMEs contribute as high as over 80% to the nation’s GDP. This indicates that starting a business has become much easier than ever before.
Are you an ambitious African looking for a way to start a business? Are you worried that you don’t have enough capital to start? Not to worry. You can start a business today right from your home with little or no capital.
In this article, we will go through the 8 cheapest businesses to start in Africa. These businesses are profitable and relevant today. Let’s dive in!
Social media marketing
Social media has become a must for businesses and brands in Africa. It has become a way for people to connect and for businesses to make and sustain lasting relationships with their customers. Businesses now push their products using social media and can reach a wider audience through it. Are you a skilled social media marketer? You can start offering social media marketing services to businesses in need of them.
If you have no experience with social media marketing, you don’t have to worry. Social media marketing can be learned, and there are lots of free courses online to help you get started. You can start a social media marketing business today with no capital. All you need is a laptop and data.
Freelance Writing & Editing
Freelance writing has become a popular business in 2021. It is one of the best businesses you can start today with no capital. All you need are great writing skills, a laptop, and data!
Businesses are in search of freelance writers who can write according to style and brand voice. You can start your own freelance writing business and produce stellar content for your clients. You can earn as much as you want from writing. From writing blog posts and articles, sales pages and emails, to writing books for publishing companies. The opportunities are endless. There are lots of freelance writing sites to get started with. Some of these sites include Upwork and Fiverr.
Tutoring
Tutoring is one of the cheapest businesses you can start in 2021 especially if you love teaching. Many parents hire private tutors to guide their children through diverse subjects after school hours. If you are knowledgeable in a particular subject or subjects, you can start up a tutoring business and begin coaching students who need them. You can check out platforms like PrepClass to get paired with a parent.
You can also hold online classes for diverse subjects of interest through platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, or Skype and charge students for it. Tutoring requires no capital and is very lucrative.
Catering
The catering business is evergreen and very lucrative. The great thing about catering is that there is a huge market out there. Food is a basic necessity. There are parties, events, and ceremonies that hold every day and they will always be in need of food. You can start your own catering business right from your kitchen and deliver it to customers. Quality food and good customer relationships keep your customers coming back to you. You can also promote your business on social media to reach a wider audience.
Photography
Do you have a passion for taking pictures? Photography could just be the business for you. You can take beautiful pictures for clients at different events and make money from them. Photography doesn’t have to start on a large scale. You can begin with mobile photography and expand further. You can offer services like Photoshoots, Photo editing, frames, and photo books. All you need is a very good camera phone and a laptop. As you expand, you can graduate using cameras.
Cosmetics Business
Cosmetics are fast selling and in high demand in Africa. Women are always in search of effective skincare products to enhance their beauty. You can start your cosmetics business and sell products to various clients for profit. You can decide to sell makeup products and beauty products like soaps, lotions, and creams. Also, you can offer cosmetic services like spa, manicure & pedicure, and makeup services. You can make use of social media to advertise your products and attract more customers. This business requires very little capital and you can make a profit in a short time.
Fashion Design/Tailoring
Fashion design/tailoring is on the rise in Africa. Many fashion designers are killing it in the fashion industry. Fashion design/Tailoring is always in demand. People in Africa want to wear colorful attires to attend various events and parties.
You can start to sew beautiful styles for various customers, male and female, and get paid for them. This is one business you can start right from your home and with very little capital. All you need is a sewing machine and other sewing equipment like thread, scissors, needles, etc.
Dry Cleaning Business
Dry cleaning is a cheap business you can start right from your home. Some people do not have the time to do their laundry especially in busy cities like Lagos Nigeria. You can start offering laundry services to customers even around your neighborhood and make money. Dry cleaning requires little capital. All you will need is a washing machine, an iron and other dry cleaning materials.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Starting a business doesn’t have to cost so much. Remember to build quality customer relationships. You can also make use of social media to create awareness, interact with your customers, reach a wider audience and scale your business fast.
Which of these businesses will you love to start? Comment below and let us know!