40 new business ideas in Kenya 2022 that can be highly successful

The unemployment rate in Kenya is significantly high, as more and more graduates enter the job market with few opportunities available. As job opportunities get scarcer by the day, Kenyans are turning towards entrepreneurship as a means of income. To succeed in the field, though, one must be conversant with the viable business ideas in Kenya.

Despite the rising unemployment, the entrepreneurial space in Kenya is still quite attractive. Locals and foreigners alike can capitalize on the opportunities to earn a living.

The best business ideas in Kenya in 2022

Here is a look at some of the best business ideas to venture into for Kenyans.

1. Blogging

It might not be an entirely new idea, but blogging has not been commercialized enough in Kenya, as is the case in the western world. When implemented correctly, blogging can easily be one of the most profitable businesses due to the numerous monetization options.

Becoming a blogger can be a good source of income from the comfort of your home. You only have to find a niche and target the right audience.

2. Drawing and painting

There is a lot of money in creative art drawings, but one has to stand out in whatever they choose to do. The good thing is that creating art is not restricted to any one field. You can become a creative artist for just about anything you are good at. Some of the most popular options include pencil art, canvas water paints, and charcoal drawings.

3. Freelance writing

Writing is an extensive field that cannot be exhausted, and it is one of the best business opportunities. A writer can be successful by focusing on a particular subject or type of writing. A freelance writer can choose among online articles, business plans, resumes, short stories, and even ghost-writing, among many others.

Little to no experience is required for you to make it as a writer. All you need is to be good in a particular language and have an internet connection and a laptop.

4. Health and fitness training

Health is something people do not take for granted. As a result, you can make money if you can turn health and fitness into a business. There are not so many well-equipped gyms around.

If you can get your hands on some capital, put in place a state-of-the-art gym, and your business will be a success story in no time. You will, however, have or hire someone who has the right skills to train people.

5. Children’s daycare

With the busy schedules synonymous with modern-day life, people need their children taken care of during the day. A significant number of people are wary of house-helps knowing how they can sometimes mistreat children in the absence of their parents.

The alternative is taking children to a daycare centre when they are away. You can start the business in a small, rented room or even in your guest room.

6. Forex trading

Forex trading seems like the most recent frontier for making money online and is quite profitable. However, you will need to undergo training first through a coach or self-training to make it in forex trading. Once you learn the ins and outs, forex trading is arguably the top business to start with 10k.

Forex brokers do not only train you but also give you access to forex markets through their accounts. This is an excellent place to make money, but you should also be aware of the risks that may include losing your investment due to seemingly small mistakes.

7. Software development

These are interesting times for IT gurus as the demand for their services is at an all-time high. As a result, software and app development is an amazing business opportunity. If you have the right skills, you can create apps and software for clients on different platforms, including Windows, Android, and iOS.

8. Greenhouse farming

If you have the starting capital, greenhouse farming is among the best ventures to try. You can grow vegetables, fruits, or anything you deem fit for the market. However, due to the significant capital outlay required, greenhouse farming is one of Kenya’s least implemented business opportunities.

9. Social media marketing

You probably spend a lot of time on Facebook and other social media platforms. However, you may not know that you can earn while interacting with your buddies and fans online. Monetize your social media accounts by making them a platform for others to advertise their products.

For example, if you have many followers on Facebook or YouTube, you can learn how to activate ads and get paid per view.

10. Event planning

You may not appreciate how demanding event hosting is until you find yourself in a situation where you have to plan for a party. This explains why most people begin event hosting as a side hustle but end up doing it full time.

Numerous occasions require event planning. These include birthday parties, graduation parties, religious occasions, and even funerals, among many others.

11. Interior designing

If you have a passion for interior design, you need not look for a typical nine-to-five job. The interior design market has something for you if you can prove your skills. Many developers may not have the time or expertise to decorate their properties, and this is where you come in. Offer to do the walls, furniture, floors, and numerous other interior design elements at a fee.

12. Recycling

With this business, you will be saving the environment and earning money. Many products can be recycled and reused, but you will often find such products disposed of after first use.

A good example is car tires. Many have made good money by making sandals from used car tires, so there should be no reason why you should not excel in this business. If people can be as creative as making boats out of recycled plastic bottles, you can easily find your niche in this area.

13. Ridesharing

Car owners can make extra cash and not affect their routines at all through innovative business ideas like ride-sharing. For example, you can advertise your car as a taxi and pick up passengers while running your errands. There are modern-day ride-sharing apps that can easily implement this idea.

14. Entertainment lounge

There are many entertainment joints, but each is known for a particular reason. Despite being flooded, your lounge will never run dry if you have a unique service or product. Entertainment lounges offer many things such as music, food, drinks, and shows. Do a market analysis, and you will find a niche in which your entertainment joint will stand out.

15. Cleaning services

Are you looking for the ideal business to start with 5k? Then you may want to consider cleaning services. These can range from small-scale to large-scale for corporate clients. This upside to this business is the sheer number of people who want a clean environment to live and work in. You can offer cleaning services for clothes, carpets, sofas, toilets, walls and many other things.

16. Sewing and alteration

Why not start a sewing and alteration business if you have sewing skills? After all, people will always wear clothes, and your services will never go out of fashion.

This business does not necessarily require special training or a degree. All one needs is a certain level of skill to get started. Additionally, you will have to buy the necessary equipment for sewing and alteration. If your work is excellent and you get steady clients who trust your designs, you will be making massive profits in no time.

17. Freelance accounting and bookkeeping

An accounting or bookkeeping start-up is one of the best business ideas in Kenya for those that have the skill, of course. But, first, you must become an accredited accountant and earn the prerequisite exposure to handle clients effectively.

18. Landscaping

The landscaping business is for people who love working hands-on and are great with design. Even though you need some skills to start, some landscaping tasks are quite basic. You can work with individuals who own homes, schools, companies, and other institutions.

19. Photography and cinematography

Photography and cinematography are some of the most captivating business opportunities in Kenya. These professions suit individuals who love documenting special moments. While there’s stiff competition in the sector, specializing in a niche can win you many clients.

For instance, you can choose to focus on pet photography and avoid crowded niches such as wedding photography.

20. Car detailing

If you are a detail-oriented person and have a passion for cars, a car detailing business is certainly for you. It doesn’t require much capital, and all you need is space and the necessary tools. If you set up a good company and impress clients, they will pay good money for your premium services.

21. Beauty salon and spa

Kenya’s beauty industry has undergone a massive transformation in the recent past. This has resulted in an increased demand for cosmetic products and services. And this is a good business opportunity for you to tap into.

If you set up a beauty salon or a barbershop/beauty salon/spa and offer great services, you might just land yourself numerous clients.

22. Ice cream shop

There are not so many speciality ice cream shops in Kenya. While this one requires significant space and quite some capital, it is a very appealing venture. Feel free to contact ice cream processing companies for supply agreements.

23. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is another excellent business opportunity in Kenya. However, you have to be good at what you intend to be tutoring in order to create a profound link with your students. Since the country has great internet coverage, you can easily set up an online tutoring business.

Make sure that you specialize in a particular niche to stand out.

24. Virtual assistant

A virtual assistant is a self-employed person who provides administrative services to another individual or company from a remote location. If you are looking for an online job that lets you earn from your skills while giving you the freedom of working from home, then being a VA (Virtual Assistant) should be among your considerations.

25. Baking

If you have a passion for baking yummy delicacies, why not turn it into a money-making venture? You can do this by starting a café, shop, or even an online bake and deliver business.

26. Pet sitting, walking, and grooming

Do you love animals? If so, then a pet daycare or grooming business might be the right business for you. While the pet business sector was not considered very promising several years ago, the sector has drastically changed. Still, the sector represents one of the top untapped business ideas in Kenya.

27. Senior citizen assistance

Senior citizen assistance is one of the best business opportunities in Kenya. There are several ways you can set up the business. For example, you can help the senior citizens run errands, take them to social functions, and even help them around the house.

28. Home-based catering

If you have a knack for cooking, you can create a decent home-based catering business. You don’t have to look for an outlet and pay exorbitant rental fees. If you are doing catering services for small businesses, you can do it by yourself. However, if you get big clients, you may have to employ a few people for assistance.

29. Niche staffing

Companies are always looking to employ the right staff and rely on the services of recruiting agencies. You can open a niche staffing agency and create a good rapport with these firms. With time, dedication, and constant improvement, you can easily become be their go-to firm for staffing needs.

30. Travel planning

While modern-day travel apps and websites have pretty much taken over most of the traditional travel planner’s functions, a significant number of people still require these traditional services. If you are skilled and knowledgeable about Kenyan destinations, you can start a travel planning business.

31. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an innovative eCommerce business model in which the seller does not have to manage any physical products. Instead, you only have to set up an online store and partner with various suppliers who are ready to store, package, and ship orders to clients.

32. Food truck

With the restrictions brought about by the recent pandemic, aspiring restaurateurs can easily find success with a food truck. Food trucks come in different shapes and sizes and serve up a wide range of snacks and cuisines.

33. Meals-to-go

Meals to-go are perfect for people who struggle to find time to cook nutritious and healthy meals. This explains the increased demand for the meals-to-go business. You can capitalize on this trend by starting your own meals-to-go business in your neighbourhood, city, or state.

34. T-shirt printing

If you have an eye and mind for great designs, you can start a t-shirt printing business. Some of the most common methods include screen printing and heat pressing. You can set up your business online or even work with institutions.

35. YouTuber

You have probably heard of PewDiePie and numerous other YouTubers with millions of followers. Their journey to stardom often starts with simple web cameras and setups. From live streaming games to teaching skills and everything in between, the things you can do on a YouTube channel are almost unlimited. This is inarguably the best business to start with little money.

36. Translation

The demand for multilingual people has recently increased. If you can speak two or more languages, you could consider starting a small business with which you can monetize those skills. You can start looking for clients on freelance websites such as Flexjobs and Upwork and then slowly build your portfolio.

37. Career coaching

With the rising unemployment in Kenya worsened by a saturated job market, there is no shortage of employment seekers needing help with finding jobs. If you have a knack for helping your friends and family find suitable job vacancies, you can probably help others too. In this case, consider starting a career coaching business.

38. Affiliate marketing

An affiliate marketer promotes products of other companies and earns commissions on their sales. One of the most popular affiliate platforms is Amazon’s affiliate program. However, there are many others. Affiliate marketing is often combined with information distribution models such as blogging to create a seamless mix of content and promotion.

39. Podcasting

Podcasts have gradually been getting more traction over the last few years. The number of people who listen to podcasts has risen significantly in the last two decades. If you can engage people on a particular line of conversation, why not try this business a go?

40. Lawn care

If you grew up in a home with a lawn, chances are your parents made you maintain it. How about turning the skills you learnt into a business? Working outdoors with your hands to tame and beautify the natural landscape can be a rewarding experience, and in this case, a money-making one.

How can I make Ksh 2000 a day?

There are numerous physical and online businesses you can venture into to make Ksh 2000 every day. These vary in the capital requirement, the time needed to master the craft, and labour requirements. That said, some of the common ones include freelance writing, forex trading, affiliate marketing, and drop shipping.

Which business can I start with Ksh 20K?

There are several businesses mentioned above that you can start with Ksh 20K. Some great ones include baking, landscaping, and cleaning services.

Which business can make you rich in Kenya?

Ideally, this would be a business with high-income potential and a market that is not yet saturated. Some possible options include virtual assistance, meals-to-go, forex trading, and blogging.

What is the worst business to start in Kenya?

Being a rapidly developing country, Kenya has a wide range of businesses that would not do very well. Top among these is the executive passenger limousine service business. With the rise of ride-sharing platforms such as Uber and Bolt, the executive passenger limo business would really struggle.

There are numerous viable business ideas in Kenya, some requiring more capital than others. The best investment opportunities in Kenya today are those that deal with solving everyday challenges. If you can identify a present-day challenge, figure out a solution for it, and you might just be on to something big.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

READ ALSO: 20 best loan apps in Kenya for genuine instant loans in 2022

Tuko.co.ke recently published an article about the best loan apps in Kenya in 2022. The mobile money sector in Kenya has contributed significantly to money access among the general populace. Besides traditional lending institutions, Kenya now has numerous mobile money lenders that offer short term loans with little to no security required.

Some of the most popular ones are independent lenders such as Shika, Tala, Berry and Branch, and bank-based platforms such as KCB-Mpesa.

Source: TUKO.co.ke