These 20 micro-business ideas in Africa can start with only $0–$100

Research any topic below and write a 1-page essay on your opinion: would this business idea work well in your community? Why or why not? Send essay to humanistmutualaid@gmail.com

  1. Solar / battery phone-charging kiosk — set up a seat + solar panel or battery pack to charge phones for a small fee. Great in off-grid rural towns and urban informal markets. Startup: use a small solar pack or battery + cables. YouTube+1

  2. Charcoal-briquette production from agri-waste — collect rice husks, coconut husks, charcoal dust; mix binder and press into briquettes to sell as clean fuel. Works well in both rural and peri-urban areas. Startup: hand-press + molds; raw materials often free. Ngeckenya+1

  3. Handmade soap and detergents — make bar soap, liquid soap or detergent using affordable ingredients (local oils, lye, scents) and sell locally. Urban/ peri-urban markets and rural boutiques. YouTube+1

  4. Beekeeping / honey sales (small scale) — start with 1–3 hives or even top-bar/simple hives, sell honey, beeswax and pollination services. Especially good in rural areas with flowering crops. Begin with natural hives or simple boxes. YouTube+1

  5. Backyard poultry (layers or broilers) — sell eggs or meat locally. Can start tiny (5–10 birds). Urban or rural (urban needs small coop). Startup: $20–$100 with chicks and feed. YouTube+1

  6. Tailoring & clothing alterations — basic hemming, repairs, simple custom clothes. Requires a used/semi-manual sewing machine and skills. Very urban-friendly but can work in rural areas near markets. Startup: need used machine or just use hand needle. YouTube+1

  7. Mobile phone accessories & simple repairs — sell chargers/cases/screen protectors and learn small repairs (battery, charger port). High demand in towns/cities. YouTube+1

  8. Container/vertical vegetable gardening (urban micro-farm) — grow leafy greens in buckets/containers and sell to households or spaza shops. Ideal urban/suburban. Startup: $50 with reused containers and compost. YouTube+1

  9. Supplying fresh produce to local shops (spaza supply) — aggregate small farm produce and deliver to neighborhood shops for regular orders. Works urban and rural near towns. Startup: $50 (transport/packaging). YouTube

  10. Bicycle repair & maintenance — fix tires, brakes, spokes with improvised tools; huge demand in towns with bicycle transport. Startup: $50. Use homemade tools and models from Nairobi. WIRED

  11. Candlemaking & wax products — make simple candles (mould/pillar/tea lights) for homes and ceremonies. Urban and rural markets. Startup: $80 for wax, wicks, and moulds. (YouTube tutorials common.) YouTube

  12. Snack/catering micro-stall (mandazi, samosas, puff-puff, akara) — cook small batches and sell at markets, bus stops, or to workers. Urban & semi-urban. Startup: $50. Numerous how-to videos show recipes and scaling. YouTube

  13. Hairdressing / barber / braiding services — mobile or small-space hair services; very cash-flow positive. Urban and semi-urban. Startup: $50 for basic tools. YouTube

  14. Shea-butter or local oil processing (West Africa focus) — process collected nuts into butter for local sale or cosmetics. Rural/community cooperatives work well. Startup: $100. Look for manuals and coop examples. YouTube

  15. Handicrafts from recycled plastic / upcycling — make mats, baskets, bags from plastic strips, then sell at markets. Good in both rural and urban tourist/market towns. Startup: $20 for tools + collected plastics. YouTube

  16. Henna / temporary body art & events services — sell at markets, weddings, festivals. Low input, quick returns. Startup: $20. Many short video demonstrations available. YouTube

  17. Water refilling / small kiosk (water vending) — where safe piped water is scarce, sell jerrycans of safe water. Rural & semi-urban. Startup: $20–$100 for containers, basic filtration or sourcing. AP News

  18. Laundry / ironing service for busy workers — pick-up/drop-off or small stall near workplaces. Urban. Startup: $80 for iron, basin, detergent. YouTube

  19. Home-made fruit juices / cold drinks stall — prepare and sell to commuters & markets; high margins. Urban/semi-urban. Startup: $10–$60. Hygiene and simple cooling are keys. YouTube

  20. Small woodworking / simple furniture repair (stools, doors, crates) — fix and make basic wood items for households or local farmers. Rural & urban. Startup: $10–$100 for hand tools. Local market examples abound. YouTube