Turn Your Passion into Profit: 20 Online Ventures Tailored for Kenyan Entrepreneurs

Ever wondered how many Kenyans utilize their hobbies to create lucrative online businesses? A recent report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reveals that 80% of Kenyan entrepreneurs engage in early-stage business activities and the majority use digital means to expand business. The advantage of the current technological advancement is that one doesn’t have to spend much money to start a business or set up a physical shop. If you are looking forward to managing your own business or need a side hustle, the internet alone is a gold mine of opportunities.

With the internet as your marketplace, the possibilities of making money are endless, from writing, coaching, creativity, and management. This article will focus on 20 online businesses ideal for the Kenyan market for start-ups. Each offers a different approach to transforming your passion into a business, no matter the stage of the entrepreneurial process you are in. 

Let’s dive in.

Social Media Management

The use of social media in Kenya is constantly rising. According to the Digital 2023 Kenya report, about 12 million Kenyans spend up to 12 hours daily on social media and other online activities, this is about 22.6% of the entire Kenyan population. Businesses are constantly investing in social media as a means to reach and engage with users or potential customers. It’s also crucial to note that the social media management tools market is expected to grow to a CAGR of 23.6%  from 2023 to 2030. This growth positions the need for social media managers on the rise and thus a lucrative venture for Kenyan entrepreneurs.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing has become one of the largest markets in the world with a revenue of $17 billion in the year 2023. Jumia, for instance, offers an affiliate program that pays up to 11% commission for product sales in Kenya. Similarly, other global giants such as Amazon and ShareASale are also available for Kenyan affiliates. Affiliate marketing is preferred because it offers bloggers, content creators, and influencers a chance to make money from their traffic or audience. According to WecanTrack, affiliate marketing makes up 15% of the total digital media industry revenue making it highly profitable.

Digital Marketing Consultancy

Digital marketing is moving to the forefront, and about 90% of marketers believe digital marketing is critical for their business. Kenyan digital ad spending is expected to rise to $260 million by the end of 2024, propelled by the SMEs. SEO, PPC, and email marketing are essential services, and businesses require consults in these services. International digital marketing services alone are predicted to hit $807 billion by 2026 stating the need for professional practitioners in this sector.

Graphic Design

Graphic designing has experienced exponential growth due to increasing online presence awareness and the importance of branding for company image. Freelance graphic designers for international markets on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork can take home up to $75 per hour doing graphic design jobs. In Kenya, there is a growing demand for affordable but professional design services to create company logos, advertising fliers, and other promotional tools. The global graphic design industry was valued at $45 billion in the year 2015 and it is expected to rise to $58.8 billion by the end of 2024. This means experienced graphic designers have so much potential to make good money in Kenya.

Online Tutoring

The use of online learning has rapidly increased over the last five years in Kenya. The global online education market is believed to grow at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2021 to 2028. Online learning platforms like ElimuTutor in Kenya help students learn flexibly and efficiently in their coursework. International learning platforms like Preply offer Kenyan tutors an opportunity to reach a global audience where they can teach math, languages, sciences, and even Swahili. There is high demand for tutoring services especially in areas such as coding where Kenyan developers can make $20-$30 per hour teaching learners globally.

App Development

Since the usage of mobile phones in Kenya and the rest of the world is on the rise, there has been pressure to develop more applications. App development is one of the best-paying online businesses if you possess coding skills. Since many companies are turning to applications to help them better interact with their clients, a huge market exists for Kenyans with knowledge of coding services.

Podcasting

I know what you are thinking, “Does it pay?.” Well, it is important to note that podcasting has grown rapidly over the last few years and it’s one of the online ventures Kenyans can partake in to earn an income. Provided you have a niche view on the matter or have specialized knowledge, then people will listen to you. When your audience base is already strong, one could monetize by using sponsorships, ads, or even by providing exclusivity with a fee. Are you good with words and a mic? Then this is an opportunity for you to rise.

Online Coaching

Self-development is something people are always looking to improve on whether it's in health, business, or life in general. This is one of the promising ways to make money in Kenya. A lot of Kenyan youths are already doing it and I am sure you have interacted with a few online. You can take advantage of this opportunity and become an online coach in a discipline in which you have enough knowledge. For example, if you are a fitness guru, you can offer custom-designed fitness routines and business coaches if you are a business-minded individual.

SEO Consultancy

Search Engine Optimization is a critical category under digital marketing since more than two-thirds of web users start their online journey with a search engine like Google. In Kenya, with most companies adopting online business operations, especially in the e-commerce sector, the need for SEO consultants has risen. The global forecast of the SEO market is expected to rise to $103 billion by 2028. This demonstrates the high demand for SEO services in enhancing visibility and traffic. Local Kenyan companies are also following this trend and consultants can charge between $500-$1000 for a given venture depending on the size and type of the project.

Freelance Translation

A multilingual country like Kenya also presents great opportunities for freelance translation services. The market for global translation services is projected to reach $56 billion by 2030. Kenyan translators fluent in English, Kiswahili, French, or other languages can earn from $15 to $25 hourly on platforms like Freelancer or Upwork. Also, Kenya having a lot of diplomatic ties and hosting several international organizations increases the need for translation services in the country.

Event Planning and Coordination (Virtual and Hybrid)

Since the pandemic outbreak, virtual and hybrid celebrations or meetings are common, and the global virtual events market is predicted to be valued at $617.33 by 2030. This is an excellent opportunity for Kenyan event planners as they can provide services such as platform setup, speaker coordination, and AV support to both local and international customers. Zoom and Microsoft Teams have eased the management of events and there is a projected increased need for event coordinators as more corporations conduct meetings via the internet-based channels.

Online Thrift Store

Buying second-hand clothes online has gained popularity in Kenya, particularly among the youths in the quest for cheap and quality clothing. Most Kenyan thrift stores operate on Instagram and Facebook, and the resale market is globally estimated to reach $77 billion by 2025. Many Kenyan entrepreneurs don’t need a lot of capital to invest since they can source second-hand products within the country and sell them on the Internet.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing provides a level of flexibility where Kenyan writers can earn between $ 200 to $700 per month, depending on their skill set and the amount of work they take on. Writers can sign up for free on freelance sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr where they get connected to clients from different parts of the world, writing blog posts, and technical articles among others. It is important to note that freelance writing is now in high demand around the world, especially in the content marketing industry, which is anticipated to be worth $600 billion in 2024 indicating the potential and opportunities available for writers.

Virtual Assistance

The global virtual assistant market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 15.8% by the end of 2028 because of remote work. Some of the roles that Virtual assistants (VAs) in Kenya can begin with include; sorting out emails, diaries, and social media accounts among others. Some of the Kenyan VAs have indicated that they earn between $270 and $700 every month depending on the clients they served and services they provided. Building a strong portfolio can help VAs rise in the virtual assistance business.

E-commerce Store Owner

E-commerce in Kenya contributed approximately US$2.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$3.8 billion by 2028 due to changes in customer preference towards online purchasing. Other electronic commerce platforms currently available are Shopify, WooCommerce, and Jumia where Kenyan entrepreneurs can easily open their online shops where they sell home-made or imported merchandise. These statistics show that there is a huge opportunity for Kenyan entrepreneurs to get a share of this rising market.

YouTube Content Creation

The market share for video content belongs to YouTube; many Kenyan creators such as Wabosha Maxine and several others have made YouTube their source of income. With over 2.1 billion active monthly users, YouTube provides Kenyans the chance to make money via ad sharing, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Freelancers in Kenya can earn good incomes with some of them earning up to six figures in dollars a year provided they create content in their respective niches whether it’s tech, lifestyle, beauty, food, travel, or interior design among others.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a low-risk, relatively cheap business model that enables entrepreneurs to sell products without keeping an inventory. Currently, businesses in Kenya are penetrating both regional and global markets through dropshipping. The Global Dropshipping Market is expected to hit $243.42 billion in 2024, this will be a 23.5% increase from 2023. Meaning, that there will be sufficient opportunities for Kenyan entrepreneurs to enter into the e-commerce space with little to no capital required.

Niche Blogging

It’s possible to make money through blogging though it is essential to have a niche, it can be technology, travel bloggers, or even parenting or food bloggers,  which you can monetize through advertisements, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products. It is expected that the blogging industry worldwide will grow to $2 billion by 2025, and Kenyan bloggers are in the best position to benefit from this by producing content that will appeal to local and global audiences.

Subscription Box Service

A subscription box business entails the selection and delivery of particular merchandise to customers at pre-designated intervals. It could be cosmetics or even mostly Kenyan souvenirs or just healthy snacks for Midwesterns. Nowadays, innovative solutions such as subscription boxes with e-commerce integration are receiving great attention around the world and the market is expected to grow up to $65 billion by 2027. This is an area that Kenyan entrepreneurs can harness by ensuring the products they advertise and sell to both local and international audiences.

Print on Demand

Print on demand (POD) is a business model that helps you sell merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases with your unique design while not having to handle the inventory. When a customer makes an order on a particular product, the purchase is processed and a hard copy of the product is printed and delivered to them. POD businesses can be managed through Printify or Printful, for example, through a combination with other eCommerce platforms like Etsy or Shopify. The Global Print on demand industry is expected to reach $10 billion by 2025 making it a relatively low-risk entry point for Kenyan businessmen to sell custom products locally and worldwide.

Conclusively, starting an online business can be easy for anyone, especially if one is determined. Being an entrepreneur in Kenya means choosing a suitable business field in which you have interests, skills, and passion. The most incredible part about these online business ventures is that most do not require large amounts of capital, and you can start some of the ones listed above today. From earning some extra dollars to creating a steady flow of income or even a source of livelihood, the possibilities of online businesses are endless. Remember, passion to profit is not an overnight process, it needs a sheer amount of patience, persistence, and determination. However, with the proper mindset, you can turn your passion into a full-fledged business.