Are you looking for business ideas you can start in your neighborhood without breaking the bank? Nigeria’s streets are filled with untapped opportunities that anyone can turn into a money-making venture.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or have some capital to invest, there are plenty of businesses you can launch and run from the comfort of your street. Let’s dive into 10 lucrative street business ideas that Nigerians are already profiting from!
1. Point of Sale (POS) Business
If you’ve walked around any busy street in Nigeria lately, you’ve probably noticed the rise of POS kiosks. That’s because the POS business is booming, especially in areas where banks are scarce or the distance to the nearest ATM is inconvenient.
Starting a POS business is pretty straightforward. All you need is a POS machine (you can get one from banks or fintech companies), some capital to facilitate transactions, and a small space to set up your kiosk. Many operators just use a table and an umbrella.
This business thrives on convenience; people would rather pay a small fee to withdraw or transfer money at a POS station than travel to a bank or ATM.
Why It’s Lucrative:
With high daily transaction volumes, you can make a steady income from transaction fees alone. Plus, you don’t need to have any specific skills to start this business!
2. Hair and Barbers Salon
The hair and beauty industry in Nigeria is a never-ending goldmine. People always need a haircut or a new hairstyle, making a hair and barbers salon a profitable street business. You don’t necessarily need to rent an expensive shop; a well-organized kiosk or even an open-air setup with a few chairs can do the trick in the beginning.
For those with skills in hair plaiting, hair cutting, or styling, this business is a fantastic way to earn consistent income. As you build a loyal customer base, you can expand by offering hair treatments, selling hair products, or even training others.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Hairdressing and barbing are essential services, and customers typically return every few weeks. The cost of materials is relatively low, while the profit margin can be high.
3. Laundry Business
With so many busy professionals and students living in urban areas, the laundry business is a fantastic opportunity. Let’s face it—many people just don’t have the time (or energy) to wash their clothes themselves.
That’s where you come in! Setting up a laundry service doesn’t require a massive investment. All you need is access to water, detergents, and a reliable washing machine (or two).
You can start by offering services like washing, drying, ironing, and folding clothes. As your business grows, you might even consider offering pickup and delivery services to increase your customer base further.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Laundry businesses are often in high demand, especially in areas with a lot of working-class residents. It’s also a business that thrives on repeat customers.
4. Car Wash
In Nigeria, cars get dirty easily due to dust in the dry season and mud during the rainy season. This creates a constant need for car washing services. The beauty of this business is that you don’t need a fancy setup to start. With a little space, some water, and cleaning materials, you can begin washing cars right on your street.
You’ll have plenty of customers if you offer excellent service and build a reputation for quick, thorough cleaning. You can even offer add-ons like interior cleaning or waxing to increase your profits.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Cars will always get dirty, and many people don’t have the time or equipment to wash their own cars, making a car wash business a steady source of income.
5. Mini Cooking Gas Station
With the increasing use of gas for cooking in Nigerian households, opening a mini cooking gas station on your street can be a great business idea.
Many Nigerians use small gas cylinders and need regular refills, especially in neighborhoods without a large gas station nearby. Setting up a small refill station can be a simple way to meet this demand.
You’ll need some basic equipment, including gas cylinders, a reliable gas supplier, and safety gear to get started. This is a high-demand service, especially in areas where the supply of cooking gas is not easily accessible.
Why It’s Lucrative:
People always need cooking gas, and since it’s a consumable product, they’ll be coming back regularly for refills. Plus, gas is relatively cheap to buy in bulk, allowing you to make a decent profit on every refill.
6. Drinks and Snacks
Who doesn’t enjoy a cold drink and a quick snack on a hot day? Setting up a small drinks and snacks business on your street is a low-cost, high-reward idea.
You can start small by selling bottled water, zobo drinks, Tigernut drinks (check this guide to learn the business of Tigernut drinks), soft drinks, and snacks like chips or biscuits. As your business grows, you can expand to offer local snacks like puff-puff, buns, or akara.
This type of business doesn’t require much space, and you can easily set it up with just a table and an umbrella. Place your stall in a busy area, and you’ll have people stopping by all day long.
Why It’s Lucrative:
The profit margins on snacks and drinks are usually high, and since they are consumed daily, you can expect repeat customers.
7. Food Stand Business
Selling food is always a great way to make money in Nigeria because—let’s face it—everyone needs to eat! If you can cook delicious meals and maintain a clean, inviting setup, a food stand business can become very profitable. Focus on local dishes that are in high demand like rice, beans, noodles, or jollof rice. You can also offer breakfast items like akara and bread or sell roasted plantains and yam.
Starting small with a food stand can give you flexibility and help you learn what your customers like. Once you’ve established yourself, you can branch out to more elaborate meals or even catering services.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Food is a basic necessity, and with the right location and good cooking skills, you can attract a loyal crowd of daily customers.
8. Shoes and Wears
The demand for shoes and clothing in Nigeria is huge, which makes selling them on the street a great business opportunity. Whether you want to sell new shoes or second-hand clothes (popularly known as okrika), there is always a market for affordable fashion.
You don’t need a fancy shop to start—just set up a stall with neatly displayed shoes and clothing items. As your business grows, you can expand your offerings to include bags, belts, and other accessories.
Why It’s Lucrative:
People always need shoes and clothes, making it a business that can generate consistent sales. Plus, okrika clothes are in high demand, as many Nigerians love a good bargain.
9. Fruit and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always in demand, especially in urban areas where people don’t always have time to go to the market. Starting a fruit and vegetable stand on your street can be a great way to meet this need while earning a decent income.
The key to success in this business is sourcing fresh, quality produce from reliable suppliers. You’ll also need a prime location where passersby can easily stop and buy. You can even offer delivery services to nearby homes or businesses to stand out from your competition.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Fruits and vegetables are essentials, and if you offer quality produce at competitive prices, you’ll have regular customers who come back week after week.
10. Ice Block Manufacturing
With Nigeria’s hot climate and inconsistent electricity supply, selling ice blocks is a highly profitable business. Ice blocks are in high demand, especially among food vendors, drink sellers, and event organizers who need to keep things cool. You can also sell directly to individuals who don’t have regular access to electricity.
Starting an ice block business requires some capital for equipment like a freezer and a reliable generator. However, once you’re set up, the ongoing costs are minimal, and the potential profits are significant.
Why It’s Lucrative:
Ice blocks are always in demand, especially in the hotter months. The business has a low running cost once you have the initial equipment, and you can make great profits by selling in bulk.
6 Effective Tips to Promote Your Street Business Online Using Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
Promoting your street business online can greatly increase your customer base.
Here are some tips for using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook:
- Use videos, photos, and stories to showcase your products or services. For example, record short TikTok videos of your food stand’s meals being prepared or your barbers giving stylish haircuts. Show behind-the-scenes moments to attract attention.
- Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience. For instance, if you’re in the laundry business, hashtags like #CleanClothes, #LaundryDay, or #FreshOutTheWash can help you get discovered.
- Stay consistent with posting. Share daily updates, offers, or highlights of your best-selling items. Facebook and Instagram stories are great for this.
- Run promotions or giveaways exclusively for your online followers. This encourages people to engage and share your content.
- Add your business location on Instagram and Facebook posts to attract local customers.
- Partner with local influencers to promote your business to their followers.
With these tips, you can use social media to grow your street business and reach more customers online!
Conclusion
Starting a street business in Nigeria doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. From POS services to ice block manufacturing, there are plenty of lucrative opportunities waiting for you.
The key is to pick something that fits your budget and your skills, then get started. With consistency and hard work, you can turn any of these street business ideas into a steady source of income!
