If you have a small budget and a big vision to start a business in Kenya, there are plenty of low-cost business ideas you can start with as low as Ksh.10, 000 capital.
The informal sector, popularly known as Juakali, provides opportunities to solve everyday problems and launch profitable businesses. Whether you want to start a side hustle or create a full-time income stream, you can start small and reinvest into the business over time.
You can also explore these business ideas to start with 50k and these profitable businesses to start with 100.
So, let’s explore the most profitable businesses to start with 10k in Kenya.
Boiled eggs & Smokies
You can start a boiled eggs and smokies business with as low as Ksh.10,000, and make anywhere from Ksh.500 to Ksh.1,000 per day. With the 10k capital, you can buy a tray of eggs, smokies, and the required utensils like knives, sufuria, spoons, etc.
You can set up the business in a high-traffic area like near a matatu stage, markets, and busy streets. For people on the go, boiled eggs and smokies are a cheap and convenient snack as they go about their business.
Though it requires a small capital, a boiled eggs and smokies business has good margins. You can buy eggs for 10 to 15 each, and sell each at up to 30 each. You can get a profit of 300 to 450 per tray. For smokies, you can buy each at 20, and sell it for 30 to 35 bob each. If you sell about 30 smokies in a day, you can get a profit of 300 to 450.
Online shop
With more Kenyans preferring online shopping than traditional shopping, there is no better time to start an online shop than now.
Find fast-moving products to sell online such as phone accessories, beauty items, or fashion items, and start selling them items on online platforms like Jiji, Jumia, Kilimall, Instagram, and Facebook.
As you understand your market and get a good grasp of setting up ads, you can start an e-commerce website to help you grow your customer base and manage your sales better. Make sure to offer timely delivery, good quality products, and maintain good communication with your customers.
Become a freelancer
You can become a freelancer with a minimal capital of 10k. Start by mastering a skill like graphic design, writing, social media management, virtual assistance, or WordPress, and start making money.
You can list your skills on websites like Upwork, Toptal, Guru, and Fiverr, and connect with clients from around the world. Be sure to highlight your skills, experience, and other relevant qualifications that make you better than other freelancers.
Once you get your first client, you should deliver high-quality work and request a 5-star rating from past clients to help you boost your profile. As your reputation grows, you can increase your rates, and earn better income.
Related: Businesses to start with little money
Fruit parlor
A fruit parlor is another profitable business to start with 10k. You can start by buying fresh fruits like mangoes, pineapples, bananas, oranges, waterlines, etc., depending on what is currently in season.
You can also get basic utensils to help you get started- knives, plastic cups, plastic plates, and packaging materials.
Your target market can be office workers, students, travelers, or any person looking for a healthy snack on the go. You can sell freshly cut fruits, smoothies, and fruit salads for immediate serving or take-away.
If you want to survive the business and attract customers, ensure cleanliness and good hygiene.
Juice bar
A cold glass of fresh juice has an unmatched ability to satisfy the thirst of travelers and busy people on the go. You can tap into this lucrative business with a capital of 10k.
Start by finding a good source of fruits like whole markets, and get different varieties of fruits for blending, including mangoes, bananas, avocadoes, passion fruits, watermelons, pawpaw, etc.
Get the required accessories like a commercial blender, disposable cups, knives, trays, and packaging material. You can then focus on several juice options that include just one fruit, two fruits, or a combination of several fruits.
You can operate as a mobile fruit juice vendor or set up in strategic locations like near offices, schools, and gyms. Offer high-quality juices at affordable pricing, and you can attract regular customers who value healthy living.
Diaper business
You can start a small-scale diaper distribution business with as low as Ksh.10,000. You can buy them in bulk and resell them to retail customers like small stalls in the neighborhood, friends, neighbors, etc. You can even sell them online via Facebook.
One advantage of the diaper business is that it is in high demand throughout since new parents need several diapers every day. You can offer competitive prices, and diversify to other products like baby wipes, baby lotions, toys, and other baby products.
Mitumba business
You can start selling “camera” second-hand clothes, popularly known as mitumba, with a capital of 10,000. Identify what clothes are popular, and find good mitumba bale wholesalers in your town.
With 10k, you can buy a bale of mixed clothing such as kids’ wear, streetwear, or office wear, and sell them at a markup. The key to succeeding in the business is knowing your target market and offering trendy near-new clothing.
Once you have an established customer base, you can buy more stock and even expand into selling new clothing.
Cleaning services
With people getting busier, the demand for cleaning services in urban areas has been on the rise. You can start a cleaning business with as low as 10k, targeting residential clients and offices.
You can use the initial capital to buy basic cleaning equipment like detergents, brooms, and mops, and print a few business cards. You should target homes, offices, and small businesses that need regular cleaning but can’t afford full-time staff.
You can market your business through word-of-mouth, social media, and handing out flyers during community events. As your business grows, you can charge higher fees, take on large contracts, and offer specialized services like carpet cleaning and pest fumigation.
Poultry farming
If you have a passion for farming, you can start a small-scale poultry business with as low as 10k. You can use the initial capital to buy chicks, feeds, and a basic coop to get started. You can use these poultry house designs to build a chicken house.
You can opt to rear broiler chickens that mature within 6 weeks and sell them for meat. You can also rear dual-purpose birds for both eggs and meat and sell directly to consumers and local vendors.
To succeed in poultry farming, ensure proper feeding, good hygiene, and manage diseases early.
Cereals business
You can start selling cereals such as beans, lentils, maize, and beans with a small capital of 10k.
You can buy the initial stock from wholesalers and resell them in small quantities starting from ½ kg. Target busy neighborhoods, residential areas, and markets with high traffic.
As the business grows, you can introduce other products like maize flour, wheat flour, sugar, cooking oil, etc. Offer competitive pricing to attract customers and build a loyal customer base.
Manicure and Pedicure Services
If you have some interest in beauty products and services, you can start a mobile manicure and pedicure service with as little as 10k.
You can buy basic nail care equipment and products like buffers, nail polish, and clippers, and advertise your services on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Your customers can also become your biggest marketers if people find their nails attractive.
You can target clients in offices and homes, and offer booking services based on your availability.
Office lunch deliveries
In big cities like Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa, office lunch deliveries have grown steadily.
With a 10k initial capital, you can start preparing simple affordable meals, and deliver them to offices during lunch break.
You can sell popular Kenyan dishes like chapati + beans, pilau, ugali+Sukuma, ugali + nyama, etc. As you understand customer preferences, you can offer customized menus on order.
With a growing customer base, you can expand this business to offer meal services for residential customers.
Events planning and decoration
If you are a master planner with an eye for details, you can start an events planning and decoration business with as little as 10k.
You can use the initial capital to buy basic decoration materials and print your marketing materials. You can start offering your services at community parties, weddings, birthday parties, and family gatherings.
As you expand, you can start targeting corporate functions and hiring out your tents, chairs, and décor items.
Start a tree nursery business
With the growing awareness of environmental conversation and the government’s plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a tree nursery business can be a profitable business.
With the 10k capital, you can buy seeds, fertile soil, and planting bags, and start cultivating various types of seedlings like indigenous trees, fruit trees, and ornamental plants.
You can target individual customers, institutions like schools and hospitals, as well as landscapers. With good care, the tree seedlings can be ready for sale in a few months, and you can get insanely high returns on your 10k investment.
You can also offer additional services like landscaping, delivery services, and bulk orders to schools, and government projects during tree planting activities.