In this Guide i break down some of the practical Profitable Businesses you can start in Nairobi….No fluff.
Let’s be real—life in Nairobi is getting expensive. Whether you are a student, employed, or just looking for a way to make extra cash, relying on one income source is risky.
But here is the good news: you don’t need millions to start a business. In fact, you can set up a solid side hustle with less than KSh 50,000.
I know what you are thinking: “What can 50k even do in this economy?” A lot, actually. The trick is to focus on services or goods that people need every day.
Forget about renting a fancy office in Westlands for now; start where you are.
Here are 5 profitable businesses in Nairobi that you can launch this month without breaking the bank.
1. Mobile Car Wash Service
People in Nairobi are busy. They love their cars, but they hate driving to the car wash and waiting in line for an hour.
That is where you come in. With about KSh 15,000, you can buy a portable car wash machine, a vacuum cleaner, and some quality cleaning detergents.
The best part? You go to them. You can charge KSh 300 to KSh 500 per car. If you wash just three cars a day, that is KSh 45,000 a month—almost your entire capital back in 30 days.
2. Selling Thifted Clothes (Mtumba) Online
Gikomba is a goldmine if you have the patience. You don’t need a stall. With KSh 5,000 to KSh 10,000, you can pick high-quality “camera” pieces—dresses, tops, or jackets.
Wash them, iron them, and take good photos with your phone.
Post them on Instagram or TikTok. Delivery fees are paid by the customer. The profit margins on mtumba are crazy; a top bought for KSh 50 can easily sell for KSh 500 if packaged right.
3. Errand Running and Delivery
If you have a motorbike or even a bicycle, this is a no-brainer. But even without one, you can start a localized errand service in your estate.
People constantly need someone to pick up groceries, drop off parcels, or pay bills.
Start by telling your neighbors and creating a simple WhatsApp status poster. Trust is your currency here. Once people trust you, they will send you everywhere.
4. Smokies and Mayai Pasua
Do not look down on this business. Those guys selling smokies and eggs at the bus stage are probably making more daily profit than some entry-level office jobs.
A vending trolley costs about KSh 5,000 to KSh 7,000. Stock (eggs, smokies, kachumbari ingredients) is cheap.
The secret is the location and the hygiene. Keep your trolley clean, wear a white dust coat, and have delicious kachumbari. You will have loyal customers in no time.
5. Social Media Management for Small Biz
Look around your estate. The salon, the hardware shop, the butchery—do they have an Instagram page? Probably not. Or if they do, it hasn’t been updated since 2024.
Walk in and offer to manage their social media for KSh 5,000 or KSh 10,000 a month. You just need your smartphone and data bundles.
Get five clients, and you are sitting on a cool KSh 50,000 a month without buying any stock.
Starting is the hardest part. Pick one of these ideas, commit to it, and watch it grow. For more business tips and investment advice, keep checking our Business section.
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