Many people believe starting a business in Africa requires a lot of money. However, that is not true! You can begin a profitable African business with just $100 and start earning in less than a month. Africa is full of opportunities, and if you choose the right industry, you can grow your income quickly.
In this article, we will explore five proven business models that you can start on a low budget. These businesses have been tested and have helped many entrepreneurs make money in Africa.
Let’s dive in!
Create Short Marketing Videos for Real Estate Companies
The real estate industry in Africa is booming. With more people looking to buy and rent properties, real estate companies need good marketing to attract clients.
One way to make money is by creating one-minute marketing videos for real estate companies in African cities. These videos help real estate companies showcase their properties in a more engaging way.
How to Get Started
- Learn Basic Video Editing: You can use free or affordable software like InShot, Canva, or CapCut to edit videos.
- Create a Portfolio: Record a few sample videos and showcase them on social media.
- Pitch to Real Estate Companies: Contact local real estate agents and offer to create marketing videos for their properties.
- Charge for Your Service: You can start by charging $50–$100 per video and increase your rates as you get more clients.
Success Story
A 15-year-old in Kigali, Rwanda, started this business with a $50 investment in video editing software. In just 10 days, he earned $300! By the end of the first month, he made $850 in profit.
With time, you can grow this business, hire a team, and increase your earnings significantly.
Become a Real Estate Agent for the African Diaspora
Many Africans living abroad want to invest in property back home but don’t know how. You can become a real estate agent, helping diaspora investors find reliable real estate deals.
Why This Business Works
- Millions of Africans in the U.S., U.K., and Europe want to buy property in Africa.
- They need trusted real estate agents to help them navigate the market.
- Commissions range from 1% to 3% of the property price, meaning you can earn thousands of dollars per sale.
Example of Earnings
If you help someone buy a $200,000 property, your commission could be:
- 1% Commission: $2,000
- 3% Commission: $6,000
Some developers even offer fixed commissions of $500–$1,000 per sale, making this a profitable business.
How to Get Started
- Find Reliable Developers: Partner with real estate companies and agents in Africa.
- Market to the Diaspora: Use social media, churches, mosques, and community events to find potential buyers.
- Earn Commissions: Each time a buyer closes a deal, you earn a commission.
Since most marketing can be done online, you can start this business with less than $100!
Become a Mystery Shopper or Service Quality Evaluator
The hospitality industry in Africa is growing rapidly, and hotels and restaurants need to improve their service quality to stay competitive.
As a mystery shopper, you visit hotels, restaurants, and resorts as a regular customer and evaluate their service. Then, you provide a report with constructive feedback on what they can improve.
How Much Can You Earn?
You can charge $150 to $300 per review. If you work with 10 hotels per month, you can make between $1,500 and $3,000 per month!
How to Start
- Visit Hotels & Restaurants: Start by offering a free trial evaluation to build trust.
- Prepare Reports: Write detailed reports on customer service, cleanliness, and overall experience.
- Offer Retainer Contracts: Hotels may hire you for monthly service evaluations to ensure consistent quality.
This business requires no significant investment. You only need money for transport and meals at the places you visit.
Start a Training Business for African Companies
Many companies in Africa are looking for training services to improve their customer service, marketing, cybersecurity, and more.
If you have expertise in any industry, you can start a corporate training business.
Industries That Need Training
- Hospitality: Customer service training for hotels and restaurants.
- Banking & Insurance: Employee skill development.
- Construction: Safety and engineering training.
- Cybersecurity & AI: Digital security training for companies.
How to Get Clients
- Offer a Free Training Session: This helps build credibility and attract more clients.
- Network with Business Owners: Connect with hotel managers, CEOs, and HR managers.
- Charge for Full Training Sessions: You can charge $1,500 to $4,000 per training.
One woman in Ghana started this business and landed a $3,000 contract with a hotel within five days of arriving in Africa!
Run a Cultural Tour Business
Africa has a rich culture that attracts tourists from all over the world. You can start a cultural tour business and earn good money by showing people the beauty of Africa.
How This Business Works
- Offer a Free Tour: Take a small group on a free tour to collect feedback and video testimonials.
- Sell Paid Tours to Hotels & Tourists: Charge $100–$150 per person for a one-day cultural tour.
- Use a Minibus: Rent a minibus for about $150 per day to transport tourists.
Earnings Potential
If 10 tourists join your tour at $150 per person, you make:
- Total Revenue: $1,500
- Expenses (Minibus & Fuel): $150
- Profit: $1,350 per tour
If you run four tours per month, you can earn $3,000–$5,000 per month.
Conclusion
Starting a business in Africa does not have to be expensive or complicated. With just $100 or less, you can begin one of these profitable business models and start earning money in less than a month.
Here’s a quick recap of the best low-cost business ideas in Africa:
✔ Marketing Videos for Real Estate Companies
✔ Real Estate Agent for the Diaspora
✔ Mystery Shopping & Service Quality Evaluation
✔ Corporate Training Services
✔ Cultural Tour Business
Each of these businesses provides real value to the African market and can give you financial freedom with minimal investment.
Are you ready to start your African business? Let me know in the comments which idea you’re most excited to try!
Book Consultation with me or Hire me on Contact Me