14 Great Business Ideas for Kisumu And Its Environs

Kisumu derives its name from “sumo,” a local Luo dialect meaning barter trade. As it stands, Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa.

It is a port town in the Nyanza region, found along the shores of Lake Victoria.

Kisumu has a large population of about 250,000 people, according to the 2019 census.

As it stands, Kisimu is the fastest-growing urban city in Kenya, with many business opportunities for investors looking for places to invest.

Here are the top business ideas to give a try in Kisumu

1. Fishing

Fishing is the main economic activity that has elevated Kisumu to its current state.

Since it lies along the shore of Lake Victoria, there are great investment opportunities in fishing and other auxiliary industries such as net making, packaging materials, boat building and repair, transport, sports, and recreation.

Investing in this region can’t go down the dreaded path since local and export markets are readily available for fishing and related products.

Investing opportunities do not end here, as value additions like aquaculture have also taken root to help deal with the high fish demand in the region.

2. Agriculture

Kisumu County is known for its proximity to fertile agricultural lands, and its access to Lake Victoria makes it a prime location for agribusiness.

As rural-urban migration increases, more land has been freed for agricultural production in Kisumu County.

As we all know, agriculture plays a major role in the county’s economic growth and development, contributing 47 percent to household income.

The major agricultural products to consider selling in Kisumu are rice, sugarcane, maize, beans, sorghum, cassava, finger millet, and potatoes.

3. Tourism

Kisumu County is blessed with tourist attractions like Impala Park, Ndere Island National Park, Kit Mikai Cultural Site, and Hippo Joint.

If you have money to invest in Kisumu, you can set up camping and hotel facilities, water sports tourism, tourism travel, and tourist travel services.

4. Fashion

Our brothers and sisters from Lakeside are known for their taste in fashion.

As an investor, you can rest assured of a booming business if you learn about their taste and are also a fashion enthusiast.

It helps if you also stock products that are both affordable and quality.

5. Traveling Agencies

As a tourism destination, Kisumu definitely has the transport sector getting big with the in-and-out movements.

With Kisumu International Airport’s presence, you can be assured that both local and international travelers will need help with airport transfers.

As an entrepreneur in Kisumu, you can grab the opportunity to invest in travel agencies.

6. Microfinance

New businesses, especially small businesses, are springing up daily in Kisumu. To thrive in the long run, these businesses need funding, which they can readily get from microfinance banks. But the question is, do all these small businesses get served?

NO!

And that’s where you come in.

Microfinance banking is a hot business opportunity for investors to explore in Kisumu.

If you have a background in banking and finance and the required startup capital, you can start a microfinance bank that caters to individuals and small businesses.

7. Healthcare

As the population steadily rises in Kisumu, more and improved healthcare facilities are needed.

And just like all the other small businesses in Kenya, there aren’t so many requirements that you can’t meet that is set for the healthcare sector.

You can start your pharmacy, dispensary, or hospital cleaning business, among others, just by getting the right documentation and licensing.

8. Education

Education is another sector in Kisumu that’s synonymous with fast growth and has lots of prospects for new entrepreneurs looking to try their luck in business in Kenya.

However, it is important that you find a nice location and market your business, as there are thousands of other academies and private schools that will give you a run for your money.

Some of the most popular private schools in Kisumu that will give you a run for your money are:

• Makini School, Kisumu
• Mudasa Academy, Kisumu
• Kisumu Junior, Kisumu
• Braeburn Academy, Kisumu
• Citam, Kisumu
• The Sapphire School, Kisumu

9. Architecture and design

Due to the sophisticated taste of the lakeside people, designing proper and exquisite housing for both people and the landscape could become a very lucrative business.

Unlike all the other small business ideas listed here, you may need to have an architecture degree or hire people with the equivalent to do the drawings for you.

10. Infrastructure development

The improvement of Kisumu airport to an international airport and the construction of other infrastructure, such as hotels, malls, and standardized roads, have opened the city to more business.

Since Kisumu is still a city under construction, builders and contractors can make hay by creating small businesses in this space to reap big profits.

11. Environmental management

Despite Kisumu being closer to fresh and large water bodies, water shortages have always hit the residents hard.

To add salt to the wound, proper waste management is also at stake, risking the lives of both humans and aquatic life.

There are more waste management opportunities in Kisumu for entrepreneurs who are willing to work hard.

12. Oil and gas

Oil and gas products sell very well in Kisumu. And no, you don’t have to be a millionaire to start this business.

With a few hundred thousand shillings, you can be a retailer of various oil and gas products, such as kerosene and natural gas.

If you have a large amount to invest, you can open a filling station that sells a wide range of products from the oil and gas industry.

13. Green technology and renewable energy

Kisumu has recently embraced green technologies and renewable energy sources as part of its commitment to sustainability.

The city has continued to invest in solar power projects, wind energy, and waste-to-energy initiatives, making it an attractive destination for businesses engaged in the renewable energy sector.

Additionally, the growing tech community in Kisumu is creating opportunities for software development, data analytics, and digital innovation.

All these, put together, give yet another perspective on what else the people of Kisumu can invest in or focus on, such as green technology and renewable energy business ideas.

Conclusion

There are many small business ideas that the people of Kisumu can use to start making money quickly. These are just but a few of them.

If there is a business idea that you think would do very well in Kusmu but has not been mentioned, feel free to include it in the comment section of this post.