The money you need to start 18 most profitable small businesses in Kenya (2020).

Most profitable small businesses in Kenya: Intending to start a business venture soon? Here’s a breakdown of the amount of capital you’ll need to start each of the following businesses in different counties in Kenya:

1. Gym and Fitness Center

Total cost depends on the location and type of machines bought. It is ideal to start this type of business in an upcoming middle-income residential area targeting the working class.

Low income areas – Ksh300,000
Middle income areas – Ksh500,000 to Ksh1,000,000
High income areas – Ksh1,000,000 to Ksh 3,000,000

You can start with a small gym and continuously plough-back the profit to scale-it up.

2. Small Butchery

The cost of starting a butchery in Kenya depends with location and size of the shop. It is advisable to have your butchery located in a place with high human traffic e.g. near a bus terminus or a busy street.

Low Income Areas – Ksh100,000
Middle Income Areas – Ksh200,000 – Ksh500,000
High Income Areas – Ksh500,000 – Ksh1,000,000

3. Selling Of Second Hand Clothes

Depends with the size of the business. You can leverage on the power of social media to drive-up sales for your merchandise. You can shop for cheap second-hand clothes in major markets such as Gikomba and Muthurwa markets in Nairobi.

Micro-sized Business – Ksh5,000 – Ksh50,000
Small Business – Ksh50,000 – Ksh250,000
Average-Sized business – Ksh250,000 – Ksh1,000,000

4. Small Grocery Shop

The cost of starting a small grocery shop depends with the location, size of shop and type of products being sold. Those in Nairobi can shop for cheap supplies in: Githurai 45 and Wakulima Markets.

Small Shop – Ksh50,000
Medium Shop – Ksh200,000
Large Shop – Ksh500,000 to Ksh1,000,000

5. Mobile Money Transfer Business

We are talking about M-Pesa, Airtel Money and other forms of agency banking. Cost may vary from one provider to another but on average these are the charges.

Small Shop – Ksh200,000
Medium Shop – Ksh500,000
Large Shop – Ksh1,000,000 upwards

6. Wines & Spirits Pub

Depending on the size and location of your choice, the cost of starting a small wines and spirits pub may vary in the range of:

Small Pub – Ksh150,000 to Ksh350,000
Medium Sized – Ksh500,000
Large Sized – Ksh1,000,000 to Ksh2,000,000

7. Professional Cleaning Business Company

This is a company that cleans and organizes homes and offices for its clients at a fee. You use high-grade cleaning agents and the latest cleaning techniques to keep your clients’ environment spotless clean. Cleaning business has great potential and you can never go wrong by trying it out.

Small Business – Ksh200,000
Average Business – Ksh1,000,000 – Ksh3,000,000

8. Car-Wash Business

Again, the viability of this business depends with the location and size of the business. Availability of clean water is yet another of the important factors you should consider.

Small Business – Ksh80,000
Medium Business – Ksh 150,000 to Ksh500,000

9. Moving Company Business

This is the business of helping clients move their property from one house to another when e.g. when shifting from one estate to another.

Hand-Cart Business – Ksh30,000
Small Truck Business – Ksh1,500,000
Ideal business – Ksh5,000,000

10. Popcorn Business

It does not cost much to start a popcorn business. All you need is a good machine, strategic location and excellent interpersonal skills.

Roadside Business – Ksh50,000
Medium Business – Ksh100,000 (Can be combined with other in-house businesses)

11.Beauty Supplies Business (Cosmetic Shop)

While highly competitive, the beauty industry continues to flourish all over the world. In this case, we are talking about a small shop that deals with the sale of small items like nail polish, lotions, weaves, body oils and other cosmetic products.

Small Business – Ksh30,000
Average Business – Ksh200,000

12. Rabbit Farming Business

This is the business of rearing and selling of quality-grade rabbits. There is ready-demand for rabbit meat provided one knows how to package and market his or her products.

Small farm – Ksh30,000
Average farm – Ksh100,000
Ideal farm – Ksh500,000

13. Cake Baking Business

This is a fantastic idea for those who love cooking and have a bit of internet marketing skills. You can get some training first to ensure you have what it takes to meet customer expectations.

Small Business – Ksh80,0000
Average Business – Ksh200,000
Fully-fledged Business – Ksh500,000

14. Simple Barber Shop

You have two options here. Either to start a small barber shop to cater to low-income earners or an executive one for the high-end market.

Small Business – Ksh50,000
Average Business – Ksh500,000
Executive Barber Shop – From Ksh1,000,000 upwards

15. Poultry Farming

This is only a good investment if you are ready to work hard to find a ready market for your products. If you are not too sure about where to find market, don’t invest in it.

Small Farm – Ksh50,000
Ideal Farm – Ksh150,000
Large Farm – Ksh1,000,000 upwards

16. Dairy Farming

Dairy farming is quite an engaging affair and it requires you to be adequately prepared. It’s important to research adequately before investing in this line of business.

1 Heifer costs roughly Ksh50,000 to Ksh60,000(Grade)
Small Farm – Ksh150,000
Ideal Farm – Ksh500,000
Huge Farm – Ksh5,000,000 upwards

17. Professional Photography Business

This is more of a service-based business. You need to be talented, passionate and creative about taking photos if you want to survive in this industry (it’s quite competitive, we should add).

Small Studio – Ksh100,000
Ideal Studio – Ksh500,000
Big Studio – Ksh1,000,000

18. Courier Business

This is the business of transporting small letters, parcels, flowers etc. from sender(s) to receiver(s). It is easy to start but you might take long to win the customers’ trust. The key to success in courier business is timely delivery and careful handling of packages.