Small Profitable Business Ideas in South Africa

Wondering what is the best business to start in South Africa? We have a list of small business ideas in South Africa you can consider starting. South Africa is the second-largest economy in Africa. Investing in profitable business ideas in South Africa will earn you high returns.

There is also a ready market due to its high population and the high number of expatriates and tourists. South Africa also is endowed with natural resources and it is a great place to start a business. In this article, we will provide you with profitable small business ideas in South Africa.

Viable Small Business Ideas in South Africa

The following are some of the best small businesses to start in South Africa.

1. Business Consultancy

South Africa is a business hub and many startups are coming up. You can help people start businesses by providing them with business consultancy services. Your work will be to mentor them, carry out a business feasibility study, write business plans and proposals.

Due to the high number of people wishing to start businesses, consultancy business is one of the most profitable businesses in South Africa.

2. Cosmetics Shop

You can start a cosmetics business in South Africa and start selling beauty products. The cosmetic is a wide niche and there are many opportunities you can venture into in South Africa. You can sell skin products, hair products and many others. The demand for beauty products is high, making it a profitable business idea.

3. Hair Salon

If you have some skills in hairdressing, consider starting a hair salon in South Africa. You can work as a makeup artist or operate a massage parlor. You can opt to work as a mobile hairstylist. However, it is best you have a shop where your customers can visit. Make sure you meet compliance requirements before you can open doors to customers.

4. Electronics Shop

Electronic shop is a good business idea in South Africa. Technology is creating a great demand for electronics and you can help address the situation. You can decide to venture into computing, televisions, camera, or phones. Depending on the demand in your area, you can decide what area of electronics to start with and then expand your business with time.

5. Laundry Business

Many people are busy and don’t have time to clean their clothes. You can start a laundry shop and start cleaning people’s clothes. It is a good business to start in urban areas. You just need to have a laundry machine, iron box and laundry skills and then you can start marketing your business. Alternatively, you can opt to start a home-based laundry business to avoid startup costs.

6. Day Care Center

A daycare center is a home based business in South Africa to start. Since many people are busy at their workplaces, a daycare center is a profitable business idea in South Africa. It is best suited for urban areas. If you have a strained budget, you can start a home-based daycare center and open premises with time.

Talk to parents with small kids and they can leave them with you while they go to work. They can also recommend your daycare business to their friends.

7. Tours and Travel Company

South Africa has many places suitable for adventure that creates a demand for tours and travel services. You can start organizing tours and then look for people who are interested in visiting the area. You can market your business online and through social media. You can start with one car and expand your business as your customers increase.

8. Taxi Business

Taxi business is a profitable business idea in South Africa due to its high population and many towns. People want to reach their destinations fast without having to worry about parking fees. Companies are opting to hire taxis for their employees when they are on official duties. You can start a taxi business and help people navigate around towns. You can develop a mobile application that customers can use to book a ride.

9. Fast Food Restaurant

Fast food restaurant is one of the best small capital business ideas in South Africa. South Africa has expatriates and tourists with a taste of South African dishes. This makes a fast-food restaurant an excellent business idea. Also, there are many people working in offices who need a place to grab a bite. You can also opt to start a mobile food restaurant and you are sure to get food orders from companies for their employees.

10. A Boutique

A boutique is one of the best business ideas South Africa. If you are good at fashion, a boutique is a good business idea in South Africa. You can sell ready-made and quality clothes. It is an ideal business idea in urban areas. If you have a strained budget, you can start a small boutique shop and then expand as the number of customers increase.

11. Waste Management

With increased urbanization in South Africa, garbage management is becoming hectic. People are finding it difficult to dispose of garbage. You can address this challenge by starting a waste disposal business in South Africa. You will need a truck you will be using to carry the garbage. You can ask people within your neighborhood if they would be interested in your services.

12. Barbershop

The high population in South Africa creates demand for a barber services. If you have barbering skills, you can start one. You can make more profits by starting a barbershop in urban areas. It does not require large startup capital, while you can start also small and grow your business.

13. A Coffee Shop

Since South Africa is a home to many expatriates and tourists, a coffee shop is an excellent business idea. You start a coffee shop or opt to operate a mobile one where you will be making coffee deliveries to your customers. You can target people working in offices. You also need to market your mobile coffee shop to get more customers.

14. Delivery and Courier Services

The demand for delivery services is on the rise in South Africa since many people are busy at work. If you have a car or a bike, you can start offering delivery and courier services.

Also, many people prefer to shop online, creating an opportunity for delivery and courier businesses. It would be best if you can develop a mobile app that people can use to request your services.

15. Internet Café

The high demand for internet services makes an internet cafe a good venture to start in South Africa. The high numbers of job seekers in South Africa want a a place where they can update and print their CVs. To get started, you just need a few computers, printers and internet connectivity to get started.

16. Freelance

Freelance is one of the best online business ideas South Africa. You can start freelancing as a part-time or a full-time job in South Africa. You can sell a wide variety of skills ranging from content writing, web design, SEO and marketing. You can sign up for a freelance account on any of the freelance platforms like Fiverr, or Upwork. Create a gig and start sending job proposals to clients.

17. Online Marketing

Online marketing is a good business idea due to the high number of businesses in South Africa. You can help entrepreneurs increase their visibility by promoting their products and services online. You can do marketing through social media platforms or through search engine optimization. Go for what works best for you.

18. Grocery Store

People want groceries within their easy reach. You can start a green grocery and start selling fruits and other greens. Make sure to start a grocery store in a densely populated area or where there are many households. South Africa is a densely populated country and the demand for groceries is high, making it a profitable venture.

Summary of Small Profitable Business Ideas in South Africa

South Africa is a Silicon Savannah for startups. The high number of expatriates and tourists makes it a great place to invest in. There is a ready market for goods and services while government policies favor the establishment of small and medium enterprises. The above are some small profitable business ideas in South Africa.