The reason why many Nigerians are unemployed today is because they feel starting a business in Nigeria requires breaking the bank.
The most reason behind such misconception is due to many pieces of advice from friends who think in the same pattern.
That is why, it is always advisable to select with who you share your ideas, and possibly don’t even share them until you’ve done thorough research on that desired idea.
Part of the reason for this article is to let you know that, Starting a business in Nigeria doesn’t always require a huge amount of capital.
As there are many affordable business opportunities that one can venture into without breaking the bank.
Besides, the potential in the Nigerian market should be enough to convince you to start a business rather than waiting for a white-collar job that may not get to you.
In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the 11 cheapest businesses to start in Nigeria with little or no money.
Table of Contents
Content writing
Content writing is one of the cheapest businesses to start in Nigeria, and it’s an excellent opportunity for people with a passion for writing.
Content writing involves creating high-quality content for websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
With more businesses going digital, the demand for content writers is growing, and this presents an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a business with little or no capital.
To become a successful content writer, you need to have excellent writing skills, be able to meet deadlines and have a good understanding of SEO.
Here are some tips to help you become a successful content writer:
- Develop your writing skills,
- Know your audience (This means understanding their needs, interests, and pain points),
- Research thoroughly,
- Edit and proofread, and
- Build your portfolio (This means creating a website or blog where you can showcase your writing skills and provide samples of your work).
Read More: How to Easily Become a Successful Content Creator from Beginner to Pro
Virtual assistance
Virtual assistance is a growing business opportunity in Nigeria, and it’s a great way to start a business with little or no capital.
As more businesses go digital, the demand for virtual assistants is growing, and this presents an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a business from the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual assistants provide administrative, technical, and creative services to businesses and entrepreneurs.
Some of the services that virtual assistants offer include managing emails, scheduling appointments, social media management, content creation, and customer service.
To become a successful virtual assistant, you need to have excellent organizational and communication skills, be able to multitask and have a good understanding of the tools and software used in the virtual assistant industry.
If you are looking for where you can find clients (organizations) as Virtual assistance you can check these three websites:
Though, there are other websites to check for virtual assistance jobs/gigs, these three tops in Nigeria.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Virtual Assistant
Food Delivery Service
Starting a food delivery service is another cheap business you can start in Nigeria. With the rise of food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and Jumia Food, there is a high demand for food delivery services.
As a starter in this business, you can start by partnering with local restaurants to deliver their food to customers.
Food delivery services have become increasingly popular in Nigeria in recent years.
With the convenience of having food delivered to your doorstep, more people are using food delivery services to save time and effort.
If you are interested in starting a food delivery service, the most important thing you must have in place is mobility.
This mobility can be your personal car. If you do not have a personal vehicle you can get a good secondhand bike to start with.
And you must have good customer service; I have seen videos where food delivery people ate from the customer’s meal.
Please for no reason should you do that as you may lose your job and even get a minimum jail sentence if the customer decides to press charges against you or the restaurant you partnering with.
Read More:
Cleaning Services
Starting a cleaning service is another cheap business you can start in Nigeria.
With the increase in the number of offices, homes, and commercial buildings, there is a high demand for cleaning services.
Starting a cleaning service does not require a lot of capital, and you can start by offering your services to friends and family members.
Cleaning services have become increasingly popular in Nigeria in recent years.
With busy work schedules and demanding lifestyles, more people are looking for professional cleaning services to keep their homes and offices clean and tidy.
This business is actually one of the cheapest businesses to start in Nigeria, without any capital.
You can start as just you running the affairs of the business. But as your client base is increasing it is recommended you employ staff to help reduce the workload.
The beauty of this business is, as long as your services are good, your clients will get addicted to you (even if you decide to increase your service charge).
Read More: The 7-Step Guide: How to Start a Cleaning Business Successfully
Mobile car wash
Mobile car wash is a low-cost business that involves washing and detailing cars on the go.
With this business, you can provide car washing services to car owners at their convenience, which could be at their homes, workplaces, or even on the road.
To start a mobile car wash business in Nigeria, here are some steps to follow:
Identify your target market: Conduct market research to identify the target market for your services. You could focus on providing services to busy professionals, car dealerships, or other specific groups.
Determine the services to offer: Decide on the specific services you will offer, such as exterior washing, interior cleaning, waxing, and detailing.
Purchase equipment and supplies: You will need to purchase car washing equipment and supplies, such as a water tank, pressure washer, hoses, soap, towels, and other cleaning tools.
Create a marketing plan: Develop a marketing plan to reach your target market. You could use social media, flyers, or other advertising methods to promote your services.
Determine pricing: Set your prices based on the services you offer, the cost of equipment and supplies, and the prices of your competitors (which are very few in Nigeria)
Provide quality services: Ensure that you provide high-quality services to your customers to build a good reputation and retain their business.
Some of the advantages of a mobile car wash business include low overhead costs, the ability to work on the go, and the flexibility to choose your own schedule.
However, some of the challenges may include transportation costs, fluctuating demand, and the need for proper time management to ensure efficient service delivery.
Overall, a mobile car wash is a profitable and low-cost business idea that can be started with little capital investment.
By following the steps above, you can start your own mobile car wash business in Nigeria and become a successful entrepreneur.
Read More: Car wash business in Nigeria: Make 900k Monthly
Catering services
Catering services involve providing food and drinks for events, such as weddings, parties, corporate events, and other gatherings.
Starting a catering business in Nigeria can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful planning and execution.
Here are 8 steps to follow when starting a catering business:
- Identify the type of catering services you will offer, such as corporate catering, wedding catering, or specialty catering for specific events.
- Create a menu that features your specialties and highlights your unique selling points. Consider different dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options.
- You will need to purchase cooking equipment, serving dishes, utensils, tablecloths, and other necessary supplies.
- Your kitchen should be equipped with the necessary appliances, such as an oven, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. It should also meet health and safety regulations. (For those whose catering job is to supply launch to organizations and special orders)
- Register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and obtain any necessary permits and licenses. (This one might only be necessary when you partner with Organizations and also when you decide to go big).
- Develop a marketing plan to reach potential clients. You can use social media, flyers, or other advertising methods to promote your services.
- Set your prices based on the cost of ingredients, equipment, and labor. Consider the prices of your competitors and adjust accordingly.
- Ensure that you provide high-quality services to your clients. This includes prompt and courteous communication, timely delivery, and delicious food.
Read More: How to Start a Catering Services Business: Tips and Templates
Online Retail business
Starting an online retail business is one of the cheapest businesses to start in Nigeria.
However, to make it successful, you need to have a good understanding of the market, target audience, and e-commerce best practices.
You can start this online store from your WhatsApp.
But if you want to go into this online retail business really big and successful, then you need to choose the right niche, set up an e-commerce store, optimize your product listings(eye-catching descriptions), market your store, and provide excellent customer service.
With the right strategy, persistence, and commitment, you can build a profitable online retail business in Nigeria.
Read More: How to Start a Ecommerce Business (10 Foolproof Steps)
Social Media Management
Social media has become an essential marketing tool for businesses of all sizes.
It allows you to connect with your target audience, increase brand awareness, and drive traffic to your website.
However, managing social media accounts can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the best practices.
Because of such need, businesses have been created to satisfy such need.
This business can be a one-man business. But it requires in-depth knowledge of how you can bring the best out of it.
Before you can venture into this business you must understand that Social media management can be a daunting task, but with the right strategy, you can leverage its power to grow your client business.
You need to define the goals, create a content strategy, engage with your followers, and monitor performance.
With persistence, consistency, and creativity, you can build a strong online presence and connect with your target audience.
Finally, you need to monitor and measure your social media performance regularly.
Use social media analytics tools to track your engagement, reach, and conversions.
Also, use A/B testing to experiment with different types of content, formats, and posting times to optimize your strategy.
The things needed to start this business are your phone and knowledge of how social media works.
Read More: How to Start a Social Media Management Company/Agency (The Complete 8 Steps)
Tutoring services
Tutoring services are an essential part of the education system.
Tutoring services provide students with a valuable opportunity to improve their academic performance and achieve their educational goals.
Students can benefit from personalized attention, individualized support, and a safe and supportive environment.
There are different types of tutoring services available to students, including one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, online tutoring, and peer tutoring.
Anyone you choose to venture into they are all lucrative, but you must have the desired skill to teach not just for the money but for the love of impacting students with knowledge.
Read More: How to Start Tutoring as a Teenager, Student, or Graduate (The Success Secret)
Laundry Business
The laundry business has been around for many years, and it remains an essential service in our daily lives.
Starting a laundry business has several benefits, including a low startup cost, high demand, and potential for profitability.
A laundry business requires minimal equipment and can be operated from home or a small commercial space.
The demand for laundry services is high, as most people require laundry services regularly.
Additionally, a laundry business has the potential for profitability, as long as it’s run efficiently and provides quality services.
There are different types of laundry services that a laundry business can offer, including wash and fold, dry cleaning, and ironing.
Wash and fold services involve washing, drying, and folding clothes for customers.
Dry cleaning services involve cleaning clothes using solvents instead of water, and ironing services involve pressing and ironing clothes to remove wrinkles.
Whichever type you choose to go into one thing is sure, the dry cleaning business is one of the cheapest businesses to start in Nigeria.
Read more on starting a laundry business in Nigeria
POS Business
The Point of Sale (POS) business has become a popular business venture in Nigeria in recent years, as it requires minimal startup costs and has the potential for profitability.
A POS business requires minimal equipment and can be operated from a small space, such as a shop or kiosk.
The demand for POS services is high, as many people need to make cashless transactions, including bill payments, money transfers, and airtime purchases.
Additionally, a POS business has the potential for profitability, as long as it’s run efficiently and provides quality services.
If you choose to start this business, make sure greed doesn’t make decisions for you by charging high like the way most pos agents are doing.
If your charges are moderate you will have the number on your side, because the Pos business is all about numbers on daily transactions, not the volume of transactions.
For more on POS business in Nigeria
Read Also:
- 14 most Lucrative Businesses to Start with 500k or a Million Naira in Nigeria
- 11 Businesses you can Start with no Money or no capital
- 16 Lucrative Business Ideas in Nigeria you must not be Ignorance of
- 13 Most Profitable business ideas for students in the University in Nigeria
Conclusion
I hope this article: “Cheapest Business to start in Nigeria” was beneficial to you.
If you are interested in starting any of the prementioned businesses and you want me to write an article on it, drop your request in the comment section.
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