Looking for the best business to start with 50k in kenya? I’ll share with you ten businesses you can start in Kenya with just 50K to kickstart your entrepreneurship journey.
According to Nicole Snow, ‘small business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in.’
If these words are anything to go by, there is no better way to leave a mark in Kenya than to run a successful business.
The Kenyan economy is going faster than ever; there’s no doubt about that. However, that doesn’t translate to jobs for our youth and women.
Thousands graduate annually, but very few of them are lucky to land a sustainable job. So, the rate of unemployment is increasingly alarming.
I know what the problem is, and you probably know it. Most of us are obsessed with getting employed, perhaps by the government, and receive a paycheck at the end of the month.
So, what’s the way out. Well, I’m suggesting you think of a business. Consider starting a business that is less capital intensive.
Are you Interested?
I’ll share with you ten exciting ideas for a business to start with 50K in Kenya today. I’ll state the capital outlay, the expected returns, and the requirements for each business.
Here we go!
10 Profitable Business To Start With 50k In Kenya
1. Start a Salon or Barber Shop
Men and boys have to shave and even ladies sometimes, especially school-going girls. Similarly, women and girls have to make their hair and sometimes men, especially those with dreadlocks.
So, depending on how you see it, starting a salon or barbershop is a lucrative idea.
But how much do you need? Well, 30K is enough to start a barbershop locally, and 50K should get you started with a salon.
You can use the money to buy essential equipment and supplies, rent a space, and procure the necessary license.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be something fancy at the beginning when on a budget. You can always expand when the business starts to bring in more money.
What’s important is having the skill for the job. If not, then get some training or hire someone who can.
Besides, you can pay them from what the business makes at the end of the week or month.
On a good day, a strategically-located local salon or barbershop can make you Ksh 2,000 a day. If you take out the rent, salary, and operating expenses, you can have Ksh 30,000 a month.
2. Start Web Designing
Kenya is doing in the online business sphere. Nowadays, more and more businesses are launching online to target not only the local market but also the international buyers.
There are not many web designers locally. So, most business owners have to outsource freelancers from other countries.
How about you pounce on the opportunity and start offering web design services? You can sign up for a web design course to get the skill, and you can start selling web design services in a year or two.
Since it’s an online business, you don’t need to rent a space or apply for a business permit. Provided you pay your taxes, you are good to go.
So, 50K will be enough to launch a portfolio website where you can self-advertise. Depending on how good you are, you can earn 10-50K for every website you design.
Also Read: Businesses you can start in Kenya with little money
3. Start a Grocery Store
There is a growing demand for fresh vegetables and fruits in urban settings. The local mama mbogas are making enough to take their kids to college and pay their rent.
So, how about you start a grocery store in your hood? It’s a fantastic business to start with 50K in Kenya.
50K is enough to rent you some space, get a small business permit, and stock up. After that, you can use whatever you make to expand the business and improve your service delivery.
Depending on the location and size of the store, you can make Ksh 500 – Ksh 1,00 profit a day. That’s about 15K-30K monthly.
4. Start Blogging
Are you passionate about writing but don’t know how it can make you money? Can you share your stories, adventures, and skill online?
If yes, then you are groomed for blogging.
Having been blogging for three years now, I cannot complain about the earnings. Blogging allows me to make passive income.
Are you wondering how I do it?
Well, I monetize my blog through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is when you recommend products or services on your website, and get to earn a commission when a site visitor clicks on an affiliate link and completes a purchase.
So, how much does it cost to start a blog?
You cannot imagine this. On a platform like Bluehost, hosting for the first year costs $2.95 per month (that’s roughly Ksh 300 a month).
Mark you; bluehost offers you a free domain. Check this fantastic offer HERE
Depending on what you promote, you can make as much as Ksh 30,000 a month passively.
5. Start a Baking Business
Can you bake? If not, then you should be signing up for baking lessons now!
That’s because baking businesses are making a kill. Even though so many of them are running, they cannot meet the increasing demand.
Leading the line is cake baking and decorating. So many people want birthday cakes and wedding cakes.
We are also seeing many corporates marking anniversaries and milestones by cutting a cake.
We also cannot forget the majority of consumers who are kids around the block.
But, is 50K enough to start a baking business? Of course, yes, if you are willing to start small.
You can get the essential baking equipment and still have enough for a one month rent for your space and permit.
Depending on location, a baking business can bring as much as Ksh 2,000 a day or even more if you deal with wedding cakes.
6. Start an E-commerce Business
It doesn’t take so much money to start an e-commerce platform like Jumia. Interestingly, it’ll cost you about 40K to launch a small Jumia-like website, with the money covering the hosting and the web design.
So, how does Jumia manage to make money?
Well, if you do your research, Jumia doesn’t own the products on the platform. They belong to individuals and companies who sell through the platform.
So, you don’t need to stock up to start an e-commerce. You need to find people who can sell through your platform, and you get a commission from the sale.
Alternatively you can just set up a small website where you sell your own products at a profit. This is the best route for a beginner.
So, what’s the expected return?
Well, it depends on how big your e-commerce store is and what you sell.
7. Start Small Scale Farming
Farming has always been the backbone of our country’s economy, and as a result, that’s where the real money is. It’s without a doubt another lucrative business to start with 50K in Kenya.
Why not give it a try? You can do a lot with a quarter-acre of prime land that you can lease for Ksh 10,000. You can get into fish farming, poultry farming, fruit growing, or rabbit farming.
We are also seeing so many investors trying our greenhouse farming.
Though most greenhouses are capital intensive, you can source cheap materials locally and have one set up for 50K. That’s practical if you have a parcel of land.
So, what else do you need other than capital?
Skill is paramount. So, if you don’t have it, get some training locally.
Depending on the type of small scale farming you pursue, you can make up to 100K per harvest.
8. Offer Digital Marketing Services
Kenyans nowadays understand the power of the internet. They are now leveraging the opportunities that the world wide web presents to them, and it’s mostly thanks to digital marketing.
Do you know what digital marketing is? Well, it’s when you use the internet to help businesses connect with their target markets.
So, you have to be good with social media, content creation and management, SEO, email marketing, to name a few.
But given that there are so many digital marketing schools, you can always sign up for a class and develop your digital marketing skill.
Besides, an online platform like Udemy offers free classes for the same, and you can even get a certificate to show your prospective clients.
With 50K, you can set up a website, market your skills, get some tools of trade and still have some change. Depending on the client, you can make up to Ksh 100,000 per project.
9. Start Selling Handbags
A handbag is probably the most valuable provision for a woman. From the modern working moms to college-going ladies, everyone is looking for the trendiest bag.
With 30K or less, you can get into this lucrative business and make as much as you want.
You don’t need a physical space or to pay for a business license as you can run your business online. Most guys are doing it through social media or by word of mouth.
Eastleigh is turning out to be the best place to get cheaper handbags. So, consider visiting the Nairobi neighborhood if you decide to venture into handbag selling.
Depending on the bag quality and type, you can make Ksh 500 or more per sale.
10. Start a Photography Business
Lastly, with so many events happening every day in Kenya, there is an increased demand for photography services.
From weddings and graduation ceremonies to birthday parties and funerals, you can always find better-paying photography gigs.
All it takes is a good camera and the right skill for the job. Research on available camera offers on the market and you can always feel comfortable buying a second-hand camera for a starter.
Remember, you also need a laptop and a good editing software to commence your business.
I’d not advice you to open a photography studio because of the costs involved. Just work from home.
So, how much can you make as a photographer in Kenya?
Wedding events are the highest-paying photography gigs, and you can make anything between 20K and 100K per coverage.
In Summary
You now have ten ideas for a business to start with 50K in Kenya. Hopefully, you can find one business idea to implement and start making money as an entrepreneur.