Best Small Profitable Business Ideas in South Africa

Are you a beneficiary of SASSA grant and looking to start a low cost business in South Africa with grant money? Or you have a small amount at hand and simply want to learn about low-cost business ideas with high profit? Whatever the case is, South Africa is a business hub with Africa’s third-largest GDP and strong financial markets. 

It’s a diverse region that’s growing rapidly, driven by technology, urbanization and a rising demand for goods and services. The South African region offers various opportunities for entrepreneurs whether you have a groundbreaking idea or something uniquely creative. In this post, we’ve shared 20 most successful small business ideas in South Africa. Based on your skills and interests, one of these ideas could be perfect for you.

20 Small Business Ideas in South Africa

You can start an online store, hair salon or cleaning services, or provide homemade food, dropshipping, tutoring, etc in South Africa. But these are not the only services you can offer. So, here are 20 lucrative business ideas with low cost to start in South Africa:

• Online Store

A 2024 report by World Wide Worx about online retail shows rapid growth in e-commerce, reaching a record R71 billion in 2023. This is a 29% increase from R55 billion in 2022, making online retail 6% of the total retail sector, which had R1.1 trillion in sales in 2023. 

The growth of online retail in South Africa offers a great opportunity to set up an online store without the costs of a physical shop. With R10000, you can use platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to create your store. But start with a niche market to keep inventory costs low, and invest website development, marketing, and product sourcing.

• Homemade Food

The food and beverage market in South Africa is expected to grow at 10.85% annually from 2022 to 2027, reaching $5.87 million by 2027. It offers opportunities for healthy, organic products and traditional, ethnic foods. 

If you’re wondering what business can I start from home, you can create and sell tasty homemade treats. Buy ingredients in bulk at wholesale price, invest in packaging that keeps your food fresh and start by selling low cost snacks and sweets. 

You can sell your products on social media, at local markets, high traffic areas, busy street corners or to friends and family. Promote your homemade food through community noticeboards, word of mouth, and distribute flyers. Also, make sure to offer discount to first-time buyers.

• Cleaning Services

In South Africa, household cleaners market is set to reach $303.70 million in 2024, with a 3.80% annual growth rate until 2029. There’s also a growing demand for eco-friendly products due to increased consumer awareness.

You can start a cleaning service using eco-friendly products. Invest in supplies, equipment, and marketing and start with friends, family, and neighbors to build a client base. Use social media and local ads to attract more customers.

• Fashion and Clothing

South Africa’s fashion market is expected to grow at 11.44% annually, reaching $1,522 million by 2029. If you love design and creativity, there are opportunities to create unique, trendy clothes and offer customization services. The main challenge is keeping up with fashion trends and staying competitive.

• Dropshipping

In 2019, internet use in South Africa was 68.2%, and local retailers struggle to meet demand, pushing shoppers to buy from abroad. For example, Takealot.com, a dropshipping service provider had 12.2 million visitors in September 2021. Dropshipping lets you run a store without keeping stock. Instead, you buy items from a third party and ship them directly to customers. 

It’s a low-investment way to start a business, perfect if you’re a beneficiary of SASSA grant. To start dropshipping, use your grant money for website setup, marketing, and getting initial customers. Partner with suppliers, choose a niche or trending products, and let suppliers handle shipping. Make sure to offer unique items, a smooth shopping experience, and great customer support.

• Handmade Crafts

Handmade goods are gaining popularity in South Africa, especially among those who cherish authenticity and originality. Items such as handmade jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, and home décor are sought after by shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind pieces. You can also create crafts like pottery, woodworking, and textiles, drawing on the region’s rich tradition of craftsmanship. 

To succeed, refine your skills, establish a unique brand style, and explore sales avenues like online platforms, local partnerships and craft markets. Use social media to showcase your craftsmanship, share story behind your products, offer personalized options, and collaborate with fellow artisans.

• Thrift Store

Opening a thrift store to sell second-hand clothing and bags can be a profitable venture, especially with rising interest in sustainable fashion in South Africa. By sourcing used but branded clothes and bags, you can offer stylish options at affordable prices. You only need a minimal overhead to start. 

Buy initial stock from thrift stores or get donations from friends and family. Ensure items are clean and repair any minor damages. Your business can be accessible from home, online website, dedicated second-hand clothing apps, or at local markets. As your business grows, consider expanding or opening a small shop. 

• Tailoring & Alteration Services

Tailoring and alterations services can be a lucrative venture in South Africa, if you’re skilled in designing and tailoring. You can create custom clothing, formal wear or traditional attire. 

If you don’t have sewing skills but are interested in learning, first master them then invest in good equipment, and promote your services locally. You can work from home or rent a studio. Offer fair pricing & quick service to build a customer ase and showcase your work on social media to attract more clients.

• Website Design & Development

As of January 2024, South Africa had 45.34 million people using tinternet actively. About 26 million of them also used social media, which is roughly 42.8% of the total population. These numbers are expected to grow as internet access becomes more widespread and affordable.

In this context, businesses in South Africa require SEO optimized websites and a strong online presence to thrive. There’s a high demand for skilled web designers and developers, especially those who can create e-commerce sites for selling products and services.

Opportunities include niche stores, multi-vendor platforms, and providing e-commerce solutions. To succeed, master HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and design tools. Make sure to build a portfolio, focus on user experience, stay updated on web trends, offer SEO, and specialize in e-commerce.

• Translation Services

Skilled translators and interpreters play a crucial role in South Africa, aiding communication across various sectors like government, healthcare, businesses, and law. If you show proficiency in multiple languages, both written and spoken you can provide translation and interpretation services. 

But you’ll have to specialize in a specific field such as legal translation, multimedia content, websites, and technical documents and earn certifications to boost your credibility. Invest in Invest in language courses, translation tools, and marketing materials and promote your services to law firms, businesses, hospitals, and translation agencies. Ensure accuracy, meet deadlines, and build connections within translation & interpretation industry.

• Repair Services

Be it in South Africa or other regions, everyone requires repair services every now and then for plumbing, computer, car, wiring, furniture, shoes, machinery, etc. If you’re a skilled technician, use part of your grant to buy essential repair tools and materials like pliers, screwdrivers, adhesives, soldering equipment, and replacement parts. 

For professional repairs, invest in high-quality tools. Create flyers detailing your services, contact info, and competitive pricing and hghlight special offers like discounts for first-time customers or free estimates. 

You can distribute flyers in local areas depending on your niche like shoe or furniture shops, electronic stores, etc. Set competitive prices based on market rates and quality of your work. However, make sure you’re offering reasonable prices and excellent service as this will aid you in attracting and retaining customers.

• Mobile Car Wash Business

Starting a mobile car wash business in South Africa can be profitable, especially in busy areas where people prefer professional cleaning. You can offer interior & exterior washing and cleaning, waxing, detailing and painting. But first, use part of your SASSA R350 grant to get essential items like car shampoo, microfiber cloths, buckets, sponges, and wax. 

Invest in quality cleaning products, and water-efficient equipment, especially if you’re going to offer mobile cleaning services. Larn car detailing techniques and target areas with lots of vehicles like gas stations and shopping centers and hand out flyers with your services, prices, and contact info. To set your rates competitively, check local prices and. 

Offer various service packages to meet different customer needs and budgets and also include special offers to attract customers. You can also partner with auto dealerships for clients if you don’t want to go mobile. Or if your budget gives you permission you can open a shop and keep some replacement automotive parts.

• Hair Salon

If you’re skilled at hair cutting and styling, you can offer your services to people living near you in South Africa. These services are popular, especially where traditional hairstyles are valued. Providing braiding, twists, cornrows and updos can appeal to a diverse clientele seeking convenient and professional hairstyling. 

Get quality supplies like combs, brushes, hair clips, extensions, and styling products. Create flyers with your services info, highlight your specialties and distribute them in places like beauty stores, salons, and community centers.

• Handmade Cosmetics & Skincare

If you’re a beauty enthusiast you can create high-quality cosmetics and skincare products appealing to health-conscious South African consumers. Start by researching simple recipes for natural soaps, lotions, and lip balms online and focus on ones with minimal ingredients. 

Use your grant money to buy ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, essential oils, and natural colorants and sustainable packaging like jars and labels. Begin with small batches to test quality and get feedback. Establish an online presence on Instagram and Facebook to showcase products and gather testimonials. You can also approach local shops and markets to sell your natural items.

• Organic Produce Seller

You can source organic produce like fresh vegetables & fruits, milk, cheese and yoghurt from farmers and dairy owners and sell them under your brand. This will attract health-conscious customers. Visit farms, markets, or cooperatives for fresh produce and build relationships with farmers and dairy owners for better prices and freshness. 

Choose a high-traffic area like roadsides, shopping centers, or markets for your stand and make it easily accessible with clear displays that highlight your produce attractively. Make sure to print flyers emphasizing your fresh, quality, and affordable produce and distribute them locally. You can also attract customers with organic recipes, tips, etc.

• Livestock Feed

One of the best business ideas for beginners in South Africa is to produce livestock feed. It is a profitable business in South Africa with low startup costs. With many South Africans turning to farming, there’s a growing demand for animal feed. According to 2020 statistics, South Africa is the largest animal feed producer in Africa, producing 13.6 million metric tons.

You don’t have to be a farmer to enter this market and produce feed for animals. This business is highly profitable for many. According to Mordor Intelligence, Africa’s animal feed market was valued at $30.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $35.6 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 2.3% from 2021 to 2026.

• Waste Management Services

According to a 2020 UNEP report, South Africa generates 12.7 million tonnes of waste annually. Municipalities struggle to manage this growing waste, creating an opportunity for waste management services. This is an easy business to start in South Africa with good returns. Contact malls, offices, and factories to offer garbage segregation and sorting services.

• Uber Driver

If you own a car and live in a bustling city like Cape Town, or Johannesburg, consider becoming an Uber driver. Uber is a ride-sharing app that lets people request a ride quickly and easily. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a smartphone with Uber app. Then, you can drive whenever you want, making it perfect for earning money in your spare time.

• Fish Farming

Catfish farming is one of the most lucrative business opportunities in South Africa as it is very profitable and doesn’t require a huge investment. The region’s rich water resources and warm climate make it ideal for catfish growth. You can choose to rear fish until they are either small or large enough for consumption. Both options can earn you good money. 

• Home Tutoring

In South Africa, private initiatives like Ikamva Youth and Kliptown Youth have long used tutoring to enhance learning. But since COVID-19 school closures, several new tutoring ventures have emerged. This is because tutoring is the cheapest business to start from home.

Many South African graduates are now becoming tutors, relying on their knowledge and negotiation skills. As a tutor, you can earn money while having time for other productive activities, such as further training or another side hustle. This role allows you to get value for your expertise and manage your schedule flexibly.

FAQs

• What is the best business I can start with 10K in South Africa?

There’s no single best business to start with R10,000 in South Africa. The best option depends on your skills and passions, market demand, and startup costs. Consider what you’re good at and enjoy doing, research if there’s a need for your product or service in your area, and assess how much money you’ll need to start. 

• What business makes most money in South Africa in 2024?

South Africa’s agriculture farming industry is growing, expected to increase by 7.6% annually. This opens up opportunities in organic produce, livestock farming and feed, and agricultural technology.

Conclusion

Among 20 small business ideas in South Africa, opportunities range from online retail and cleaning services to hairdressing and fish farming. The key is to find a niche that matches your skills and interests. Whether you love fashion, cooking, or fixing things, there’s a business idea out there for you. However, only with research, planning, and dedication you can become a successful entrepreneur.