Being an entrepreneur can be a stressful and daunting task. Where do you start? What are the best ways to get ahead? With so many options available, it’s hard to know where to begin. Luckily for aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya, there are plenty of businesses that don’t require huge investments or years of training. In this post, we’ll discuss the top 10 easiest businesses to start in Kenya. These businesses can make great entry-level opportunities for those looking to break into entrepreneurship in Kenya as they require little capital. Apart from the capital you need to start, these businesses are in high demand in Kenya at the moment. Therefore, you will be on the right track starting one such business as soon as possible.
Here is a list of the proven 10 easiest businesses to start in Kenya:
- Water Vending
- Barber Shop
- Hair Salon
- Catering business
- Bicycle Repair Shop
- Computer Repair Service
- Bike Rental Business
- A Small Restaurant/Café (with low overhead)
- Boiled eggs and smokies business
- Mobile phone repair accessories business
With the current economic situation in Kenya, more and more people are looking for ways to start a business. The question of which business is best can be difficult to answer because there are so many choices available. Luckily, we have compiled this list of the top 10 easiest businesses to start in Kenya. These are the businesses that require little capital to start. Apart from the capital you need to start, these businesses are in high demand in Kenya at the moment. Therefore, you will be on the right track starting one such business as soon as possible.
Here is a list of the proven 10 easiest businesses to start in Kenya
- Water Vending
- Barber Shop
- Hair Salon
- Catering business
- Bicycle Repair Shop
- Computer Repair Service
- Bike Rental Business
- A Small Restaurant/Café
- Boiled eggs and smokies business
- Mobile phone repair and accessories business
1. Water Vending
Water is a necessity for life and is a highly demanded commodity in Kenya. Many people in the country are struggling to get safe drinking water in the country. Take a look at the many people you meet in towns with water bottles in search of this essential life commodity. The bitter truth is that most of these people end up settling for salty water from wells. Ask yourself why they do this? It’s because of the lack of a sufficient safe water point. The few water vending stations available are quite far, preventing many people to get there.
This is a golden opportunity for you as an aspiring entrepreneur in Kenya. To start a water vending business, you need two basic things; a water vending machine and a source of water. After locating a location where people walk over long distances to get clean drinking water in your area, acquire a stall in the place. You will need approximately Ksh.8,000 for the stall. You will then invest approximately Ksh. 100,000 in a water vending machine and you are ready to go. By liaising with the County Government, you will get a water supply then your task will be to purify the water for people. In a good month, you can make more than Ksh. 100,000 in profit after paying for all services.
Check out: 10 Easy Untapped Business Ideas in Kenya
2. Barber Shop
There are many people who need haircuts on daily basis from toddlers to the elderly. In Kenya, many barbershops have been established because the demand for them is high. Looking in Kenya, especially when schools are opening, you can see how people line up in barbershops to get their haircuts done. As an aspiring entrepreneur in Kenya, you should know that these services are highly needed. Therefore
The good news with this business is that it does not require millions to start and run. To start a barbershop in Kenya, you need approximately Ksh. 50,000. This is the money you will use to stock your shop with equipment like a barber chair, a mirror, razors, shaving machines, combs, and a few chairs for customers. You then need to acquire the services of one or two experienced staff who will give you referrals as well. Starting a barbershop is relatively easier compared with other businesses because customers come on their own volition, unlike other businesses where sales and marketing are needed.
3. Hair Salon
The beauty industry is another highly needed business in Kenya that has been growing at an unprecedented pace over the years. Hair salons are among the booming easiest businesses to start in Kenya. It’s evident that Kenyan ladies (warembo) and women love their hair and they will go to any length in search of the best hairstyles.
If you want to start a hair salon, it’s advisable that you get your training from various beauty schools around Kenya so as not to disappoint clients with poor services. All this is done while still being employed at the beauty school because most Kenyan ladies are willing to invest in their looks. Starting a hair salon in Kenya is quite easy as it does not need a huge investment.
With Ksh. 50,000 you are ready to go and start your hair salon. Another good thing with starting a hair salon is that you will never lack customers as long as you offer quality services at reasonable rates. Moreover, your location matters a lot in this success. You should strategically locate your shop somewhere with considerable human traffic.
Find out: 14 Best-Paying Government Jobs in Kenya
4. Catering Business
There are many caterers in Kenya who take advantage of the high demand for catering businesses to make huge profits every month. Kenyan people have developed an appetite for foods that are prepared by caterers. If you plan to start a catering business in Kenya, look at the number of people who go to hotels and restaurants every day; these numbers will tell you how much money can be made from this venture.
Kenyans love events (Kupiga sherehe) where food is a key consideration. Just look at the number of baby showers, weddings, church services, dowery payments, and ultimate funeral services that take place in your locality. People attending these events will need to be fade. As an entrepreneur, you should step in a satisfy this need by starting a catering business.
Starting this business will not be an issue because all you need is a stock of food, utensils, and other cooking wares as well as adequate staff to help you with the work. With a capital of Ksh. 100,000 you are well to start a catering business in Kenya. For the safety of your business, you will need to get a business permit and health certificates from your respective County.
5. Bicycle Repair Shop
Many Kenyans have realized the health benefits of owning bicycles. As a result of this, most Kenyans are owning bicycles and even buy some for their kids. You will notice this if you walk around the different estates in Kenya. If you are thinking of starting a bicycle repair shop in Kenya, there is an opportunity for your business to grow.
Bicycles might be relatively cheap compared with other motorized vehicles but they require repairs after use. This is because bicycles have moving parts that wear out just like vehicle engines. A bicycle repair business is among the easiest businesses to start in Kenya as it can be operated in the open air. You just need to acquire some knowledge about the parts of a bicycle and how to handle them. This can be learned by interacting with other bicycle repairers. Armed with the relevant skills, you can then buy bicycle repair tools that will not cost you a lot. With Ksh. 50,000, you are ready to go.
6. Computer Repair Service
With many people owning computers for work and personal use, it’s evident there will be a need for computer repair services. If you opt to start this business, make sure that your shop is located in an area with many people and offices. You can also give out leaflets and fliers (Kusomea mbili) so as to attract customers who will come around looking for the best repairers of their computers
To start a computer repair business, relevant skills are a must. You will have to have a background in electrical engineering so as to be able to handle the computer’s circuit boards and other electronic parts of a computer. All you need is a small setting where your customers can leave their computers for repairs, while they wait or go about with their errands at hand during this time. With Ksh. 100,000, you can start up this computer repair business.
7. Bike Rental Services
Bike rental services is one of the easiest businesses to start in Kenya. This business is quite popular with the youth, who are always in search of ways to have fun, especially over the weekend. If you visit places like Kasarani stadium, Nyayo Stadium, Karura forest, and Muthaiga, you will realize how bike riding has become popular in Kenya. However, all these people cannot own bikes and this gives rise to a new business opportunity in the country.
To start a bike rentals business, all you need is to rent out bikes for different people so as to make money. You can either buy your own or you can hire them from other bike owners and renters who are looking forward to making some good income by renting their properties. This business is very lucrative because it does not require a high capital investment, unlike many other businesses that have become saturated in the market. You can start with an initial capital of Ksh. 100,000 to get several bikes. Bike rental service is normally charged per hour, in most cases, people charge Ksh. 200 per hour. Therefore, if you get 10 people riding an hour on average, you are sure of Ksh. 2000 per day or Ksh. 60,000 per month.
8. A Small Restaurant/Café
You will never go wrong with food in Kenya. People are always looking for food for various reasons. Some are at work, therefore, they want some lunch, others may be tired and unable to cook, while others may lack cooking knowledge. Starting a cafe is an easy business in Kenya after getting a health certificate and business permits from your County government.
Armed with permits and certificates, you should do a market search to identify a point where people interact a lot. It can be around construction sites or industries as these people will need food. Rent a small room around to start your cafe business.
You’ll need to buy utensils, plates, cups for the restaurant and then stock up on raw materials like maize flour (mahindi), rice, meats/fish among others that will serve as ingredients for cooking various dishes. For this, Ksh. 45,000 is enough to get you started.
9. Boiled Eggs and Smokies
Kenyans love eating boiled eggs and smokies as snacks as they stroll around especially in the evening. The success of the boiled eggs and smokies business depends largely on its location. You need to locate it in a place with considerable high traffic.
Starting this business in Kenya is easy as in most cases, you don’t need to be indoors. Thus, renting a stall is not necessary. All you need is a jiko, eggs, smokies, tomatoes, onions, a trolley, and your chair. All these will cost you approximately Ksh. 35,000.
10. Mobile Phone Repair and Accessories Business
Kenya is picking up as a digitized world. As a result, many people are owning smartphones. This gives rise to the demand for mobile phone accessories and repair services. If you have a talent for repairing phones, this is one of the easiest businesses to start in Kenya.
To get started with your mobile phone accessory business, buy some tools required for repairs like screwdrivers, spanners among others that will cost between Ksh. 20,000-50,000. Mobile phone accessories are normally sold at a small margin of between 15-20%. Thus, if you buy 100 mobile phone handsets for Ksh. 1000 each and sell them with an average margin of 20%, you will be making a profit of Ksh. 20,000.
Final Thoughts
There are many easy businesses you can start at any time in Kenya. You don’t have to wait for a special period or season. However, you should ensure that the business is viable and marketable so as to avoid losses. Before starting any business, please conduct a market study to verify the existence of a need to be satisfied. This is the only way to be certain that your business will flourish.
