Starting a business in Kenya has never been more attractive, especially with the ever-growing opportunities in various sectors. For entrepreneurs with limited capital, finding the right business opportunities that brings enough revenue is crucial.
With Ksh.100,000 capital, you can explore various business opportunities that cater to the diverse needs of Kenyan consumers. But, what is the most profitable business in Kenya to start with 100K?
Let’s explore the list of 15 most profitable businesses you can start with this budget.
Which Business is Booming in Kenya?
Kenya’s business landscape is evolving, with sectors like e-commerce, agribusiness, retail, and service industries experiencing significant growth.
With increasing internet access, digital-related businesses, especially online retail and service delivery, are booming. Additionally, small-scale manufacturing, food and beverage ventures, and personal service businesses are thriving due to high demand and relatively low capital needs.
Related:
- Easy businesses you can start with 5k
- Profitable businesses you can start with 50k
- Profitable businesses to start with 500k
What is the Most Profitable Business in Kenya to Start with 100K?
While several ventures offer profitability within the Ksh.100,000 capital range, selecting the most lucrative one depends on factors like market demand, location, and your passion.
Ideally, businesses with recurring demand, low operational costs, and scalability potential are more profitable.
Here are 15 businesses that fit this criterion and can be established with about Ksh.100,000, and bring Ksh.1,000 to Ksh.5000 in profits per day.
1. Small-Scale Poultry Farming
- Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.20,000 – Ksh.50,000 per month
Poultry farming is a lucrative venture, especially in urban and peri-urban areas where there’s high demand for eggs and chicken meat.
With Ksh.100,000, you can buy broilers or layers, construct a simple poultry house, and purchase feed. Broilers grow within six to eight weeks, allowing you to start selling chicken meat fairly quickly, while layers can start producing eggs within a five to six months.
The market for poultry products is broad, ranging from households to restaurants and hotels. By focusing on proper feeding and healthcare, you can increase the productivity of your birds and ensure steady growth.
With time, you can expand your flock or diversify into selling day-old chicks or poultry feed, increasing your revenue streams. The potential for profitability in poultry farming is vast, especially with good management and marketing strategies.
2. Small Bakery Business
– Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.6,000 per day
Starting a small bakery is a profitable business idea, especially if you have a passion for baking and access to a market where freshly baked goods are in demand.
With Ksh.100,000, you can invest in baking equipment such as an oven, mixing bowls, baking trays, and ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter. A small bakery can specialize in items such as bread, cakes, pastries, and cookies, which are popular across Kenya.
By targeting local shops, schools, and homes, you can create a regular customer base that looks forward to your baked goods. Additionally, offering customized cakes for special occasions like birthdays and weddings can significantly increase your income.
As you grow, you can expand your menu to include more specialized or healthy options like gluten-free or vegan products, ensuring you capture a larger portion of the market.
3. Start an Online Store to Sell Products Online
Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.15,000 per day
Starting an online store is a profitable business venture that has seen tremendous growth in Kenya with the rise of e-commerce.
With an initial capital of Ksh.100,000, you can set up an ecommerce website or use e-commerce platforms like Jumia or Shopify to sell products such as clothing, electronics, home goods, or health and beauty items. Your budget would cover website development or platform fees, product sourcing, and marketing efforts.
One major advantage of an online store is the ability to reach a wider audience compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar shop. By leveraging digital marketing techniques such as social media advertising, email marketing, and influencer partnerships, you can attract customers from all over Kenya.
Offering a seamless shopping experience, including mobile-friendly browsing, secure payment options, and efficient delivery, will help you stand out in the competitive e-commerce space.
By researching market trends and consumer preferences, you can stock high-demand items that will generate steady sales. As your business grows, you can expand your product range or explore niche markets, ultimately increasing your profitability.
4. Salon or Barbershop
- Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.10,000 per day
Personal grooming is an evergreen business, as people are always in need of haircuts, styling, and beauty services.
With a budget of Ksh.100,000, you can set up a basic salon or barbershop by renting a small space and purchasing essential equipment like clippers, chairs, mirrors, and beauty products. Depending on your skillset or whether you hire a professional stylist or barber, the salon business can cater to men, women, or both.
Location plays a crucial role in determining the success of this business. A salon or barbershop in a busy estate or near the CBD is likely to attract a lot of clients. With excellent customer service, including offering unique hairstyles, grooming packages, or premium products, you can build a loyal clientele who return regularly.
In the long term, expanding to offer additional services such as manicures, pedicures, or spa treatments can greatly boost profitability.
5. Event Planning and Decoration
- Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.80,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.20,000 – Ksh.100,000 per event
Event planning is a business that continues to thrive, particularly in urban areas where people frequently host weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
Starting an event planning and decoration business requires creativity and a passion for organizing memorable occasions. With Ksh.100,000, you can purchase essential décor materials such as tents, chairs, flowers, lighting, and fabrics, and begin offering your services to clients.
The beauty of this business lies in the flexibility of scale. You can start by offering simple decorations for birthday parties or small gatherings, then gradually move on to larger events like weddings and corporate functions.
By establishing a network of reliable vendors (e.g., florists, caterers, and DJs), you can offer full-service event planning packages, which not only increases your revenue but also ensures repeat business from satisfied clients.
With word-of-mouth marketing, your event planning business can grow exponentially.
6. Online Freelance Services
- Amount Required: Ksh.10,000 – Ksh.50,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.20,000 – Ksh.100,000 per month
If you have digital skills such as writing, graphic design, social media management, or web development, offering freelance services online is a cost-effective and profitable business.
All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection, both of which are achievable within a Ksh.50,000-100,000 budget. Freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer a wide range of opportunities for skilled individuals to work with international clients.
The advantage of online freelancing is the low overhead costs and the flexibility it offers. You can work from anywhere and set your own hours. As you build your portfolio and gain positive client reviews, you can increase your rates and secure higher-paying jobs.
With consistent effort and excellent delivery, freelancing can turn into a full-time income stream or be a stepping stone to launching your own digital agency.
7. Retail Mobile Accessories Shop
- Amount Required: Ksh.30,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.8,000 per day
With the growing penetration of smartphones in Kenya, the demand for mobile phone accessories has skyrocketed.
Starting a retail mobile accessories shop is a profitable venture, especially in areas with high foot traffic, such as shopping malls, bus stations, and busy streets. Accessories such as phone cases, chargers, earphones, and screen protectors are affordable to stock, and customers are always looking to replace or upgrade their accessories.
With a capital of Ksh.100,000, you can rent a small shop or set up a kiosk, and source products in bulk from wholesalers. The profit margins on these items are quite high, and by offering a variety of styles and colors, you can appeal to a wide range of customers.
As you grow, you can expand your product line to include more valuable items like power banks, memory cards, or even second-hand smartphones.
8. Car Wash Business
– Amount Required: Ksh.80,000 – Ksh.100,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.10,000 per day
A car wash business is highly profitable in urban and peri-urban areas where vehicle traffic is high. With Ksh.100,000, you can rent a small space, purchase basic car washing equipment such as pressure washers, water tanks, and detergents, and get started.
The business is attractive because it requires minimal technical skills, and there is always a steady demand from car owners who want their vehicles cleaned regularly.
The location of your car wash is critical to its success. Ideally, choose an area close to residential neighborhoods, office parks, or busy roads where car owners can easily access your services.
By offering excellent service, quick turnarounds, and add-ons like interior cleaning or polishing, you can build a loyal customer base that returns frequently. Additionally, car washes can generate extra income by selling car-related products such as air fresheners, seat covers, or wax.
9. Delivery Service
– Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.7,000 per day
The rise of e-commerce has led to a significant demand for delivery services in Kenya. Starting a delivery business with a budget of Ksh.100,000 is feasible by purchasing a motorbike and some essential protective gear.
Partnering with online stores, restaurants, or logistics companies like Jumia, Kilimall, Glovo, and Java gives you a steady flow of delivery tasks, and with fast, reliable service, you can build a positive reputation that leads to repeat business.
In addition to e-commerce deliveries, you can offer personal courier services, such as document delivery for businesses or grocery delivery for busy professionals. As your client base grows, you can consider expanding by hiring additional riders or purchasing more motorbikes or even a delivery van.
The flexibility and scalability of the delivery business make it a great choice for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on Kenya’s rapidly growing e-commerce market.
10. Photography and Videography
– Amount Required: Ksh.80,000 – Ksh.100,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.5,000 – Ksh.20,000 per event
Photography and videography services are in high demand for events such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and corporate functions.
With Ksh.100,000, you can invest in a good-quality camera, lighting equipment, and editing software, and begin offering professional photography services. The demand for high-quality images and videos, especially in the age of social media, means that there is a constant stream of potential clients.
Marketing your services through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or a personal website is an effective way to showcase your portfolio and attract clients. By providing excellent service and building a reputation for quality work, you can charge premium rates for your services.
Over time, as you gain more experience and clients, you can expand your business to include videography, photo editing, or even event photography packages.
11. Mitumba Clothing Business
- Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.1,500 – Ksh.5,000 per day
With people constantly looking for affordable yet stylish outfits, there is a steady demand for second-hand clothes. To start, you need to find a reliable supplier who sells bales of used clothing, which you can then resell in a busy market area or online.
A single bale can contain clothes of different types, such as shirts, trousers, dresses, and jackets, giving you variety to appeal to different customers.
With the flexibility of pricing, you can create attractive deals and grow a loyal customer base. While you may start small with a basic stall or even selling door-to-door, the business can quickly scale up if you provide quality products and excellent customer service.
With a strategic location and consistent marketing, the mitumba business can generate significant returns, especially if you offer unique items that stand out.
12. Fruit and Vegetable Vending
- Amount Required: Ksh.20,000 – Ksh.60,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.1,000 – Ksh.4,000 per day
Fresh fruits and vegetables are daily essentials, making this business an excellent opportunity for quick and steady cash flow.
With just Ksh.20,000 capital, you can buy a small variety of fruits and vegetables to start with, setting up a mobile cart or a small stall in high-traffic areas like markets or residential estates. The business is relatively low-risk as you are selling perishable goods that people consume regularly.
The key to success in this business is sourcing fresh produce at competitive prices. Farmers’ markets or wholesale suppliers are ideal places to get your stock. By maintaining high quality and offering competitive prices, you can attract regular customers.
As your business grows, you can expand your product range or even open a small grocery shop. With good customer service and reliable supply, fruit and vegetable vending can be a highly profitable venture.
13. M-Pesa Agency
- Amount Required: Ksh.50,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.10,000 – Ksh.30,000 per month
Mobile money has become a crucial part of Kenya’s financial ecosystem, with millions of transactions happening daily through platforms like M-Pesa.
An M-Pesa agency offers a consistent stream of income by providing deposit and withdrawal services to customers. With Ksh.100,000, you can secure a location, purchase the required float, and set up your agency in a high-traffic area such as a shopping center, bus station, or market.
Choose an area with high foot traffic and few existing M-Pesa agents to ensure you get a steady stream of customers. With each transaction, you earn a commission, and by offering excellent service, you can build a loyal customer base.
Expanding to include additional services such as selling airtime, paying utility bills, or agency banking can further boost your income.
14. Cyber Café or Printing Business
- Amount Required: Ksh.70,000 – Ksh.100,000
- Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.6,000 per day
Despite the widespread adoption of smartphones and home internet, cyber cafés remain relevant, especially for services like printing, photocopying, scanning, and document preparation.
Setting up a small cyber café requires investing in a few computers, a printer, a reliable internet connection, and basic furniture. The majority of your customers will likely be students, job seekers, and small businesses that need these essential services.
In addition to providing internet access and printing services, you can offer value-added services such as graphic design, CV writing, or even stationery sales to increase your revenue streams.
The demand for professional documents like contracts and school assignments ensures a consistent flow of customers. Moreover, since you can charge per page for printing and copying, the profit margins in this business can be quite high with minimal operational costs.
15. Mobile Food Vendor (Food Truck)
– Amount Required: Ksh.80,000 – Ksh.100,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.8,000 per day
Street food is a staple in Kenya, and a mobile food vending business offers an exciting way to meet this demand.
With Ksh.100,000, you can invest in a small food truck or cart and kitchen equipment. The flexibility of moving to different locations, such as business districts, bus stations, or even special events, allows you to tap into various markets and increase your customer base.
Depending on your culinary skills and market demand, you can offer a variety of quick, affordable meals such as samosas, chips, kebabs, or local dishes like chapati and ugali. The key to success in the mobile food business is consistency in quality, affordable prices, and maintaining hygiene. As your business grows, you can expand your menu, add delivery services, or even set up permanent locations.
16. Soap-Making Business
– Amount Required: Ksh.30,000 – Ksh.70,000
– Expected Revenue: Ksh.2,000 – Ksh.5,000 per day
The demand for homemade soap has been rising, especially as consumers become more health-conscious and seek natural alternatives to mass-produced soaps.
Starting a soap-making business is cost-effective, with a basic budget of Ksh.30,000 to Ksh.70,000 being enough to purchase raw materials such as oils, fragrances, and lye, along with molds and other equipment. You can create a variety of soap types, from medicated to scented and organic.
Soap-making is a flexible business, allowing you to experiment with different formulas and target various customer segments. By using online platforms and social media to showcase your products, you can reach a wide audience and even offer customized or bulk orders.
Additionally, selling through local markets or retail stores can significantly boost your sales. As your brand grows, you can diversify into other personal care products like lotions, shampoos, or scrubs, increasing your revenue potential.
Conclusion
Starting a business in Kenya with Ksh.100,000 is highly profitable if you choose the right venture and implement smart strategies. From retail and food services to freelancing and manufacturing, these 15 businesses provide a range of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Choose the business that aligns with your skills, interests, and market demand, and with dedication and planning, you’ll be on the path to success.