What is the Best Business to Start in Kenya?

Kenya is a great place to start a business. The best type of business may be different for you, depending on your skill set and what you are looking for in the future.

For example, if you want to make money now but don’t care about long-term growth, then maybe starting an online store selling used smartphones would be best.

If you’re more interested in building something that will last generations, then manufacturing or natural resources might be best.

How do I know which is best?

That’s hard to say – it really depends on your goals and what niche market interests you most!

That said,

Here are three general types of businesses you could consider starting in Kenya in 2024:

Service Businesses: A service business is a company that provides a product or service to its customers.

This can be anything from a restaurant to a computer repair shop.

The best thing about service businesses is that they tend to be relatively easy to start up, and they don’t require a lot of equipment or space.

You also don’t have to worry about shipping products, since you’re providing the service in person.

Manufacturing Businesses: Manufacturing businesses make physical products that are sold to consumers.

This can be anything from clothes to cars.

The best thing about manufacturing businesses is that they tend to be very profitable, and they often have a lot of growth potential.

However, starting a manufacturing business can be expensive, and you’ll need a lot of space and equipment.

Technology Businesses: Technology businesses are companies that develop or sell technology products or services.

This can include anything from software companies to app developers.

The best thing about technology businesses is that they often have high margins and a lot of growth potential.

However, starting a technology business can be expensive, and you’ll need to have a lot of technical knowledge.

So, which is the best business category to go for in Kenya in 2024? It really depends on your goals and interests!

But really, let’s look at each category in-depth to try to figure out what options you’d have if you lived in Kenya.

a). Best Service Businesses to Start in Kenya in 2024.

There are a lot of great service businesses that you can start in Kenya.

Some of the best options include:

1). Restaurants: The restaurant industry is booming in Kenya, and there is always room for new restaurants.

If you are really interested in this kind of business and have the capital to set up something similar or way better than the competition, then why not start a restaurant in 2024?

The best part, you don’t have to be hands-on to make money with a restaurant.

You can employ the thousands of youth coming out of Kenyan hospitality colleges to help manage and bring professionalism to your business.

2). Computer Repair Shops: With so many people using computers these days, there is a lot of demand for computer repair services.

If you know how to fix computers, then starting your own computer repair shop could be a great idea in 2024.

You don’t need much equipment or space to start this type of business, and there is always a steady stream of customers looking for help.

The best part?

You don’t even have to be a hardware person yourself to thrive as a computer repair shop owner.

Just like in the restaurant business, you could employ the thousands of Kenyan techies looking for computer repair jobs and pay them partly in commission and partly in the retainer.

3). Personal fitness trainer :

The personal fitness industry is growing rapidly in Kenya, and there is a lot of demand for personal trainers.

If you are into fitness or have some experience in training people, then starting your own personal fitness business could be a great idea.

You don’t need much space to start this type of business, and you can work from your client’s homes if you want.

Plus, there are a lot of people who are looking for help getting in shape, so you should be able to find clients easily.

4). Mobile car wash and detailing:

The Kenyan economy is growing rapidly in Kenya, and with it, an influx of cars on Kenyan roads.

Do you know what that means though?

It means that there is a lot of demand for car wash services.

If you are good with cars and have some experience in detailing, then starting your own mobile car wash business could be a great idea in 2024.

Being a mobile business, you may just need a van to carry your supplies and a few employees to help you do the work.

You could also work from home, washing people’s cars in their own driveway or garage.

5). IT system consultant:

With the ever-growing use of technology, businesses are always in need of IT system consultants to help them manage their systems.

If you have experience in this area and want to start your own business, then starting an IT system consultant business could be a great idea for 2024.

You don’t need much space or equipment to start this type of business, and there is always a demand for IT system consultants.

Plus, you can charge a lot of money for your services, so it’s a somewhat great way to make some extra income.

6). Rental property management:

Kenya is a rapidly developing country, and with that comes the need for more rental properties.

If you have some experience in property management or are good with people, then starting your own rental property management business could be a great idea in 2024.

You would need to set up an office where you can meet with clients and manage your properties, but other than that you don’t need much else to get started.

Why is this a great idea?

This is a great business idea because it has low overhead costs and there is always demand for rental property management services.

Plus, you don’t need the experience to begin making money with rental property management in 2024.

b). Best Manufacturing Businesses to Start in Kenya in 2024.

There are a few manufacturing businesses that are doing well in Kenya and are worth starting in 2024.

If you have the capital to invest and the patience to wait for your money to grow, then this category is a better fit for you.

Here are a few good manufacturing businesses to start in 2024.

7). Food processing

With the ever-growing population, there is always a demand for food products.

If you have experience in food processing or want to start a food processing business, then this is a good idea to consider.

Unlike other manufacturing industries like car manufacturing, food processing businesses have low overhead costs, and there are many different types of food products that you can process.

Plus, the demand for processed foods is always high, so your business should do well.

Examples of food processing plants doing well in Kenya include.

1. Del Monte Kenya
2. Premier Food Industries Ltd
3. Proctor & Allan (EA) Ltd
4. Jetlak Foods Ltd
5. Peafoods Processing Company
6. Genjoy Food Products Ltd
7. Alpha Fine Foods
8. Norda Industries Limited
9. C & R Food Industries
10. Kenafric Industries Ltd
11. Kevian Kenya Limited

8). Plastic recycling

With the growing awareness of environmentalism, more and more people are looking for ways to recycle plastic.

If you have experience in recycling or want to start a recycling business, then this is a good idea to consider.

The plastic recycling industry is growing rapidly, so your business should do well.

You would need some space to set up your recycling plant, but other than that you don’t need much else to get started.

Some of the best plastic recyclers in Kenya include.

1. Petco Kenya
2. Mr. Green Africa
3. Usafiplus Waste Disposal Services
4. Ecopost Kenya
5. Ewaste Kenya
6. Taka Taka Solutions
7. Kamongo Waste Papermill
8. Wee Centre

9). Mabati Milling (Iron Sheet milling)

This is a great business to start in Kenya in 2024 because there is always a demand for iron sheets, and it’s a relatively low-cost business to start.

At least if you are a millionaire.

You would need some space to set up your milling plant, the mabati materials, and the machinery for mabati milling.

Mabati mills are doing well in Kenya because there is a growing demand for iron sheets, and it’s a low-cost business to start in the manufacturing space.

Some of the best Mabati mills in Kenya include.

1. Mabati Rolling Mills
2. East African Mabati Mills Ltd
3. Phoenix Mabati Works Ltd
4. Simba Corporation Limited

There are other manufacturing businesses that can be started in Kenya in 2024.

These are just a few examples.

If you have the capital to invest and the patience to wait for your money to grow, then these businesses might be a good fit for you.

However, if you’re looking for a business that will generate immediate income, then you should consider the next category instead.

c). Best Technology Businesses to Start in Kenya in 2024.

This is a great category for people who want to make fast money without doing much or without putting much effort.

All you need to start a technological business in Kenya is the capital to invest, and you’re good to go.

The best part about this category is that the technology industry is always growing, so your business should continue doing well as more people keep adopting tech.

Some of the best technology businesses to start in 2024 include.

10). Online marketing

Online marketing is a great business to start in Kenya because it’s a relatively low-cost business to start and the returns are high.

Plus, with more and more people using the internet, the demand for online marketing services will continue to grow.

To get started though, you would need some basic skills in online marketing, such as SEO, social media marketing, and AdWords.

Some of the best online marketing agencies that you will be competing against include:

• Growthpad Digital Consulting
• Agency Africa.
• Kwetu Agency.
• Dotsavvy.
• Trio Digital Marketing.

11). Software development

It is not easy to see it but there is a growing demand for software in Kenya.

This is because businesses are starting to realize the importance of having software that can help them run their operations more efficiently.

Kenya has a lot of young and talented software developers who you can hire to help do your projects making this a good business to start in 2024.

But if you want to make sense of this business then you would also need to get some basic skills in coding and software development.

Other than that you don’t need much else to get started.

Some of the best software development companies in Kenya include.

1. iHub
2. Africa’s Talking
3. Ushahidi

12). Metaverse/blockchain coding

Blockchain coding is a new thing in 2024 but it also has a lot of potential for technology-driven minds to ride on.

This is because blockchain coding allows you to create secure and transparent systems that can be used in various industries.

And who doesn’t want their business in the Metaverse in 2024?

At least not Nike, Not Amazon, NOT Facebook, and not the other huge tech businesses that are driving this change.

You can become a blockchain coder or come up with project ideas and hire a team to do them.

These projects could include NFT, gaming, supply chain tracking, and more.

Conclusion.

So those are some of the best businesses to start in Kenya in 2024.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other businesses that you can start in the country.

But these are just a few examples of businesses that have potential for success in the coming years.

So if you’re looking for a business to start in Kenya, then these might be a good place to start.

Is there any business on this list that you wish to know more about?

Tell me about it in the comments section.