Best Business Ideas To Start in Rwanda, Africa

Profitable business opportunities in Kigali, Rwanda
The Capital City of Rwanda, Kigali.

You must be asking, what are the Good Business Ideas to start in Rwanda, Africa? Companies with excellent financial structures benefit from Africa’s fast-growing population and rich resources.

The African continent has seen many of its indigenes leaving; many of them through illegal and deadly migration routes, and others via legal emigration programs.

It’s easy to take a look at the people leaving and wonder why they’re running away. Upon research and inquiry, the answers remain the same. There are too many problems in Africa, some include the lack of jobs and opportunities.

Related Post: The Best Small Business Ideas To Start 

This article focuses on the fastest-growing businesses in Africa. These businesses are selected based on their growth rate and revenue generation potentials.



Rwanda continues to be an attractive location for foreign investment. It is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and has an enabling business environment, a growing private sector and large-scale infrastructure projects.

Rwanda has developed industrial parks to accelerate the growth of investment, especially in manufacturing. Leading global businesses such as Volkswagen, Motorola Solutions, Andela and Radisson have established themselves in Rwanda.

Recently, Mara Phones opened Rwanda’s first smartphone factory. Knowledge institutions, like Carnegie Mellon University, have created campuses in Rwanda.

Related Post: 50+ Profitable Small Business Ideas

The country still has many untapped investment opportunities and ambitious policies and strategies for social and economic development.

The purpose of this briefing is to provide an overview of the business and investment opportunities in Rwanda’s key economic sectors, starting with a short description of the conditions for private investment.

Note that we consulted several reliable sources while compiling this list. These sources include:

  • the World Bank,
  • Market Watch,
  • Nairametrics,
  • Tech Crunch,
  • Africa Business Communities, etc.



Interested in starting a business in Rwanda? We put together 50 of the best businesses you can start in Rwanda today. In this list of ideas, you can find:

  • Profitable online business ideas in Africa.
  • Easy businesses you can start in Rwanda today
  • Unique business opportunities for Rwanda, Africa.
  • Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
  • Home-based businesses Ideas to start in Rwanda.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Rwanda, Africa.

The capital City of Rwanda, Kigali
Kigali Rwanda

On the other side of the spectrum, a lot of Africans are finding new and even more exciting business trends that bring in a lot of income.

Related Post: How To Start Vending Machine Business 

Most people catching on are from Europe, the USA, India, China, and the Middle East. They have identified all the potentially lucrative businesses leading them to flock our continent in search of these precious resources.

Our article follows their lead, to unearth some of the most profitable businesses in Africa, Rwanda to be precise. The country is gradually becoming one of the most developed African nations, from their real estate to agricultural sectors.

Here’s the full list:



Untapped Business Ideas in Rwanda, Africa


1. Start a Digital Marketing Business Ideas Rwanda

Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. The Profitable Business Ideas in Rwanda today.

A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn. If you plan to start a digital marketing business in Rwanda, educate yourself and understand as much how digital marketing agencies work.

Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through digital marketing online courses. To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.

Best business ideas in Rwanda
Smart Streets of Kigali, Rwanda

2. Start a Real Estate Business in Rwanda, Africa

Are you a qualified architect with a broad range of knowledge in the real estate field? Starting a real estate business can be a profitable venture in Rwanda.

Real estate involves purchasing, selling, managing, or investing in land and buildings.

To become a successful real estate business owner, you must have finely honed visual awareness and a strong understanding of various building materials and structures.

3. Start a Beverage Company

Are you thinking of starting a beverage or drink business?

Starting a beverage company in Rwanda, Africa – can be a great way to combine your love of food and drink with a passion for entrepreneurship.

Beverage companies can make all sorts of different drinks, from juice to soda to beer. They can also sell other types of food products, like bottled water or snacks.

There are more and more drink options available today than ever before—and that means that beverage companies are constantly trying new things in order to stay competitive in this space!

The more innovative they can be with their offerings, the better they’ll be able to compete with one another.



4. Start an Online Retail Store

Starting an online retail store is straightforward. All you need is a computer, a domain, and a web hosting service. Then, determine a niche for your online store, and conduct product research before listing products.

You can start your online store based on a drop shipping business model or list your self-made products in your online store.

5. Start a Dropshipping Business In Rwanda

Dropshipping allows you to start your online e-commerce store without stock-keeping.

Therefore, you do not need huge capital, and the risk is minimal because the manufacturer is responsible for the inventory and ships it directly to the customer.

Therefore, your responsibility remains to market and offer customer service. To start a successful dropshipping business in Rwanda, you need a mastery of online marketing and a focus on improving customer experience.

Business opportunities in Kigali Rwanda
Beautiful streets of Rwanda

6. Start an Affiliate Marketing Business in Rwanda

Are you looking for a side hustle that will pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long-term.

It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies’ products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and find the right brand to partner with.

You may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store or partner with a manufacturer, and market their products for a commission.



7. Start a Travel Agency in Africa

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great Business Idea to start in Rwanda, Africa.

As a travel agency, you’ll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You’ll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

8. Start a YouTube Channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel in Rwanda, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement.

YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation. In this article, we’ll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers.

While there’s no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube`s popularity to earn an extra income.

If you are looking to join the YouTube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months. Check out this YouTuber in Kigali



9. Start a Grocery Store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, along with a full range of household and personal care items.

The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion industry in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees.

However, things that will make a bigger impact on the business are the location, size of the store, competitors, local customers. To make a bigger profit, a new grocer should sell more items for a lower price.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middle man between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it.

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Once the store cost and location is decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer’s license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the location, size, and popularity of the store.

On average, a small to medium grocery store can make profit up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store. Add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc. as these items can cross margin of up to 70%.

As a rule of thumb, offer lower prices on higher purchase, this will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

Best Business ideas for Rwanda.
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10. Exports!

This is one of Rwanda’s key priorities and a significant contributor to its economy. The business of exports in Rwanda builds a number of profitable businesses while supporting national development.

Your business can be managed from abroad with ease, making it perfect for the African diaspora. With exports, you also get to provide services to your clientele, which may be located in the UK, US, Dubai, or the Americas.

Furthermore, in Rwanda, there are many lucrative export businesses you can invest in, but the route that offers you a lot of opportunities is coffee.

Globally Rwanda is known as a major coffee exporter, with its coffee being recognized and sold globally. Despite this, local Rwandans do not drink that much coffee.

The current focus of all coffee businesses in Rwanda is to improve local value addition so that the entire production process is done globally as opposed to only growing the beans.

The aim is to find means of roasting, packaging and branding the coffee to increase sales of the product on the global market.

Rwanda has only 16 coffee roasters, meaning that you will have extensive opportunities in this sector.



11. Exporting African foods in Rwanda

One of the most lucrative businesses in Rwanda is agriculture. Like many other countries in Africa, Rwanda is rich in natural edible resources.

The process of exporting unprocessed commodities such as coffee beans and raw cocoa annually has provided Africa, in general, with thousands of job opportunities, raking in billions of dollars in potential income.

The sad part of export is that the exported raw material is transformed into premium gourmet coffee and chocolate by factories located in Europe and North America. These products are then imported and sold in Africa at high prices.

In a nutshell, this doesn’t make a lot of sense. For this reason, many farmers and entrepreneurs in Rwanda have created businesses that fill the gap in both local and international markets through the development of uniquely African product brands.

Related Post: Best Food Business Ideas To Start 

These brands are processed so that they have the potential to become significant hit products on the market.

Some of these are ‘Made in Africa’ organic chocolate brands and chocolate bars made from cocoa beans, which are harvested and processed within the continent.

These chocolate bars are then exported internationally, raising thousands of dollars from international investors. The same goes for coffee beans.

The world’s largest coffee producer is found in Africa, no, it’s not Starbucks.

By investing in locally processed coffee beans, you help in the creation of more reliable product brands that can compete on the same level as foreign competitors.

Which business ideas in Rwanda can be lucrative
Rwandas Amahoro Stadium Upgraded from 25,000 to 45,000 Capacity signaling expanding business opportunities in Kigali

12. Start a Podcast in Rwanda

Do you have knowledge and passion that you’d love to share with other people? Or perhaps you are a content creator and looking for ways to expand your revenue streams?

If you match any of these criteria, then becoming a podcast host could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Podcasts are the new radio. Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing mediums for online audio, and it’s not expected to slow down any time soon.

But unlike traditional radio, podcasts are driven by content creators who have a passion for sharing stories with their listeners.

One of the main benefits that come with starting a podcast is the minimal investment needed to get started.

All you need is a computer or phone with a microphone and a way to host it online. You can even create one on your own website if you want.



13. Start a Content Writing Company in Rwanda

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your own boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload.

Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online.

Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company in Rwanda, Africa – research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website.

Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline the operations.

14. Africa Conference Production in Rwanda

We mentioned the growth of Rwanda as a tourism hub, especially for international conferences and conventions.

This is currently a booming service in the country, to the surprise of many. Eight out of every ten passengers on most planes that land in Rwanda is a conference delegate coming into the country for one convention or the other.

These individuals are welcomed at the airport by special assistants and whisked away to high-class residences for their programs.

All services related to conference production are taken very seriously by the Rwandan government, and this has helped them position the country as a conference hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.

As a potential investor, you could create, organize, and produce your conferences, providing all related services and logistics at a cost!

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When planning your conference, you can choose to go with an all-African or East-African theme. Depending on where your delegate is from, this will enable you to sell the country and the entire continent during the proceedings.

The sales of tickets and sponsorships will act as a significant money source, and the delegates invited will offer you many fantastic business contacts and opportunities you might not have had access to before.

Business sectors such as manufacturing, agri-business, ICT, and investments are very viable and potentially successful areas in Rwanda.

On this basis, your conferences can improve and transform their economies. All in all, conference production is a great strategy!

15. Create an Online Course

Online course businesses are one of the fastest-growing online business models.

Creating an online course is an awesome way to generate extra income because it allows you to monetize the knowledge you already have.

More people are taking online courses every day, and the COVID pandemic has accelerated that, with some online learning platforms having seen 15-folds growth in the number of users.

Another advantage is that these new platforms are so easy to use for instructors that you don’t have to worry at all about the tech side of the business.

You just need to focus on creating exciting content that is informational & engaging at the same time.

Starting an online course in Rwanda allows you to eliminate some of the huge costs associated with setting up a physical training facility, and it’s a great way to reach as many people.



16. Start a Healthy Food Processing Business Ideas Rwanda

With the growing preference for healthy and functional food, starting a healthy food processing plant can be rewarding.

The advancements in the food processing industry, innovation in processing technology, and continuous growth in demand for processed food are some excellent reasons to consider opening a healthy food processing business.

To start a healthy food processing plant, find out a market gap, and research the demand. Understand customers changing tastes and focus on offering the best throughout.

17. Start a Food Truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products.

The basic expenses on how to start a food truck business in Rwanda are as follows:

  1. Food truck: In general, a commercial truck can cost between $50,000 to $90,000 on average. However, to save cost, you can also buy a second-hand commercial truck.
  2. Kitchen equipment: You will need to invest in some good quality & functional kitchen equipment such as an oven, fryer, grill, sinks, etc.
  3. Licenses & Permits: To start a food truck business you will need to get some licenses and permits. The cost of license and permit and other fees may vary from state to state.
  4. Staff: The average salary of a food truck cook can vary from $21,000 to $39,000 for an experienced chef.
  5. Marketing: It is important that you use social media channels as a marketing tool to get the word out about your business. Plus, you can also use pamphlets and also advertise in the local newspapers.

In order to start a food truck business in a particular city in Rwanda, Africa – it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences.



18. Start a Restaurant In Rwanda, Africa

If you love cooking and have a passion for entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant business in Kigali Rwanda can be fun and a lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food, line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers.

No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills, to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Rwanda, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

19. Become a Proofreader Business Ideas in Rwanda

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work. If you plan to start a professional proofreading business in Rwanda, make sure you possess the following skills:

  • Have an excellent grasp of grammar
  • Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words
  • Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
  • Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.



20. Start a Language Translation Service

Language translation services bridge the linguistic barriers, helping businesses reach a wider audience outside of a single language. A language translation job is an opportunity to cover a wide range of topics and meet people from different cultures.

To become a language translator in Rwanda, master a second language and earn some experience so you become fluent in the second language.

21. Start a Mobile Florist Business Ideas Rwanda

Mobile florists, just like traditional florists, can deliver flowers to an array of special events, including weddings, birthdays, or anniversaries. People love their flowers fresh and delivered right to their doors.

Listed are the steps on how to start a mobile florist business.

  • Promote your business
  • Purchase on a reliable truck
  • Organize your business flow
  • Outsource from flower suppliers
  • Secure needed papers for your mobile flower shop

22. Start a Cybersecurity System

Cyber security experts focus on helping companies secure their networks and data from attacks by cybercriminals. Blockchain technologies are receiving massive attention from the research community in different application fields.

Becoming a cybersecurity expert with a focus on crypto can be a rewarding career.

Coinbase and other cryptocurrency exchanges use blockchain in cybersecurity, allowing users to trade everything from Bitcoin to Lite coin and Ethereum on the company’s secure blockchain platform.



23. Start a Voice Over Service

Voiceover artist is an auditory performer who uses their voice in scripted presentations. The role of a voiceover artist is only to be heard but not to be seen.

Working as a voiceover artist is an opportunity to choose the projects you enjoy engaging in. The role of a voiceover artist is also fun and can help you meet new people.

To become a voiceover artist in Rwanda, start practicing aloud reading so you familiarize yourself with your sound.

Then, create your recording studio where you can practice your voiceover skills. It would help if you had a quality microphone, professional recording software, a computer, and soundproofing materials.

24. Start a Solar Energy Business in Rwanda, Africa

Switching to solar energy has become the best way to save money by reducing utility bills. Are you interested in starting a business that focuses on renewable energy solutions?

A solar company can be a great business idea. You can set up a solar energy plant and sell the power to households and businesses without requiring them to purchase the entire solar energy system.

Solar energy is one of Africa’s most abundant natural resources. Most parts of sub-Saharan Africa enjoy more than 300 days of free God-given sunlight every year.

Still, over 600 million people on the continent, especially in rural areas, don’t have access to reliable electricity.

In most cities and towns, power outages are the norm and people often have to rely on noisy petrol and diesel power generators.

Related Post: Best Home Business Ideas To Start 

Solar energy is free, absolutely clean and abundant. And it provides the best alternative for people in remote parts of Africa who are out of reach of electricity grids.

Interestingly, some smart entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge of lighting up Africa through solar energy, and are very likely to join the millionaires club.

I’ll share a few interesting examples…

Off Grid Electric, a solar energy provider in Tanzania recently raised $25 million from international investors and won a $5 million grant from USAID.

The company is already on track to provide solar power to 1 million homes in East Africa by 2017 and has recently expanded into Rwanda.

M-KOPA, which provides ‘pay-as-you-go’ solar power systems has attracted investments of up to $40 million. This Kenyan-based business has already provided solar power to nearly 300,000 homes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.



25. Become a Mobile Personal Trainer

Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.

The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals.

You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services in Rwanda.

To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.

26. Become an Online Fitness Coach

Online fitness coaching is the use of live video or recorded video to offer fitness classes to an online audience at a fee.

To become successful in business, online fitness coaches should possess the following personal qualities:

  • Be ready to walk the talk
  • Ask the clients questions
  • Focused on educating the client
  • Stay focused on clients’ needs and goals
  • Adjust to a language clients understand

Increase in number of internet users and more hours spent online, online businesses will keep thriving.

Therefore, fitness coaches looking to expand their businesses or venture into new markets can consider starting an online fitness coach business.

27. Start a Social Media Management Business Ideas Rwanda

Similar to virtual assistants, social media managers offer various services, including but not limited to:

  • Marketing analysis.
  • Setting up social media accounts
  • Posting on behalf of their clients
  • Developing a marketing strategy based on clients’ goals
  • Coming up with strategies for increasing client’s social media following

To become a social media manager, know the various platforms and understand how they work so you can develop strategies that help clients reach their goals.

The beauty of working as a social media manager is that you get a chance to define your work schedule and even choose what niches to work on.



28. Start a Blog in Rwanda, Africa

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business.

This is location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time.

According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.
  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, first choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready.

Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

29. Start a Finance Blog in Rwanda

A finance blog is a feature appearing as part of an online publication relating to finance, and consisting of articles or personal commentary.

A finance blog earns income through sponsored content or simple marketing programs. To succeed in business, a finance blogger should:

  • Be passionate about the topics.
  • Have a good writing background.
  • Be well organized and maximize the work schedule.
  • Understand the industry from concept or fundamental standpoint.

Starting a finance blog involves a low financial investment, while there is a huge possibility for success.

There are minimal to no overhead costs, which saves you time and money. Therefore, starting a finance blog is an incredible business opportunity.



30. Start a freelancer platform in Rwanda, Africa

Freelancer platform is a place where people come with skills and services to offer and people come who need those skills and services. So we can say freelancer platforms are a marketplace for sellers and buyers of services and skills.

The freelancing industry is growing rapidly and it’s becoming a popular career option for people who are “non-traditional” employees.

The global Freelance Platforms market size is expected to reach $6.7B by the year 2025. While working on a full-time job, freelancers simultaneously work on a freelance career. The platforms available online help them to increase their business by attracting new clients.

With all of the businesses looking for help on their websites, it would be a good idea to start a freelancer platform.

Freelance platforms do well because people have jobs that need to be done and businesses have the resources to pay for the job at hand.

31. Start a Skills Training Business

It is a great idea to start a skill training business in Rwanda with your own website oriented towards helping people learn new skills.

Starting your own skills training business is within reach. It doesn’t require a lot of money, but it can bring a significant impact on your life and others.

The global skills training market expects to reach $47.2B by 2027. If you’re looking for financial freedom, then starting your own skills training business is the way to go.

Training clients and building an impressive portfolio will allow you to charge higher rates and start living the life of your dreams.



32. Become a Software Developer

A software developer is a person who creates computer programs. They design, test, and oversee the creation of software for a variety of purposes including businesses, personal use, or social networking.

If you have strong technical skills and experience in programming, you can start a software development business in Kigali Rwanda, Africa. You should also have a good understanding of how the software works.

The average salary for software developers is $110,140. The best-paid 25 percent earn an annual income of up to 140K dollars while the lowest-paid workers make just under 84K dollars.

The recent trends in software development are moving towards mobile apps and cloud-based solutions. Businesses are providing a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the client’s needs.

Starting a software development company is the perfect way to explore in this exciting industry.

This type of business is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to access their data and applications.

33. Start a Mobile App Development Business Ideas Rwanda

Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices. These apps can be used for a variety of purposes, including games, productivity, and social networking.

Starting a mobile app development business is a great way to enter the world of software development.

This type of company is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to reach their customers through mobile apps.

To start a mobile app development company in Kigali Rwanda, you need to have strong technical skills and be able to develop high-quality software.

You should also have a good understanding of how to market and sell mobile apps.



34. Start a Travel Agency in Rwanda

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you’ll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You’ll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

35. Start an Online Bakery

Starting an online bakery in Kigali Rwanda is an exciting adventure. You can start an online bakery and build something you love which brings value to others.

All you really need is a whole lot of creativity, and some skills like knowing how to bake delicious sweets, as well as marketing skills to promote your services and products.

People want to start an online bakery business because of the growing demand for a variety of baked products.

The global bakery products market size was $398B in 2020. The market is projected to grow from $416B in 2021 to $590B by 2028.



36. Start an Online Video Editing Business Ideas Rwanda

Video editors manage camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to produce the final film or the video product.

To become an online video editor, you must have media production and communication knowledge and the ability to work with others.

To start a video editing business in Rwanda, you can outsource video editing skills from an experienced professional. Your role will be to pick video footage from the customers and upload them for the video editor to do the magic.

37. Start a Boutique in Rwanda

You may consider opening a boutique if you have a great passion for the fashion and textile industry.

A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business.

Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.

38. Start an Online Advertising Agency in Rwanda

An online advertising agency provides business owners with a wide range of marketing services to help them reach targeted customers, and increase their product or service sales.

Services offered by online advertising agencies include creating ads, planning marketing campaigns, deciding the best platforms for reaching the target audience, and analyzing performance to help businesses make strategic marketing and advertising decisions.



39. Start a Mobile Photography

Want to start your own photography business? You’re not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it’s never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography in Rwanda, research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative.

Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

40. Start an Electronics Repair Business Ideas Rwanda

The electronics industry itself is worth more than $2 trillion. And electronics repair is a lucrative business that can be started with little to no money.

One of the most important things an electronics repairman must do is to make sure they have the right tools and equipment for the job.

This will include everything from soldering irons, wire cutters, screwdrivers and more. A good way to save money on these tools is by buying them used or refurbished.

It’s also important for an electronics repairman to have a solid understanding of how electronics work, including the basics of circuit boards and electricity, so they can troubleshoot problems and fix them as efficiently as possible.



41. Become a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants in Rwanda have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training.

Figure how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

42. Start a SEO Agency

An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in the search engines through organic or paid means.

SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years.

Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with a great chance for success.

It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency in Rwanda. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.



43. Start a Stock Video Business Ideas Rwanda

Stock video is pre-filmed footage that can be purchased and used in various projects and films. Like stock photos, copyrighted stock videos cannot be used without permission and licensing from the rightful owner.

Businesses and filmmakers use licensed stock footage as they save money and hours, they would need to create original footage. Starting a stock video suitable for use in commercials and entertainment can be a great venture.

44. Start a Tutoring or Education Business in Rwanda

When students have problems with their schoolwork, they turn to tutors for help. Being a tutor awakens your entrepreneurial skills. Being your own boss allows you to set your own schedule and be more independent.

You’ll create lasting relationships with students and their parents. Last but not least: you get paid well!

45. Start a Hotels Business in Rwanda

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to set your plan into action. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider prior to forming a hotel:

  • Try AirBnB
  • Name your business
  • Make a marketing plan
  • Hire a business capital broker
  • Offer complementary services
  • Decide on a marketing strategy
  • Start by renting out a room in your home.




Smart Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs in Rwanda


Rwanda is a land of amazing business opportunities. There are many ways to build a good profitable business. In fact, most people in our country don’t believe they could discover profitable business ideas to make money.

I have noticed that contrary to what most people think, capital is not the greatest challenge of starting a business; the greatest challenge is getting a very good business idea.

If you have capital and have no solid business idea in place then there is a huge probability that you would end up wasting your money and resources by investing in a business that wouldn’t bring you profitable returns.

This is why every entrepreneur must take out the time to research profitable business ideas before they invest. Are you interested in starting business in Rwanda?

If YES, In this article, I’ll share with you a few smart business ideas that address problems in our country and have the potential for success.

Reasons Why You Should Start a Business in Rwanda 

Recent World Bank Group’s annual report on the ease of doing business ranked Rwanda the easiest place to do business in East and Central Africa, the 2nd in Africa, and the 56th globally.

Rwanda has the fewest procedures and fastest processes to register and start a business. It takes only Six hours to have a registered business company!!!

Rwanda is fast developing economically, technologically, mentally, etc. and there is a huge need for innovative products.

Our country is growing whether you admit it or not won’t change the fact. New companies are investing in different sectors because they see the potential that we citizens don’t see. Our country is full of opportunities both for locals and foreigners.

Our government is currently battling to tackle different problems including insufficient agriculture productivity, infrastructural decay, unemployment, accommodation, etc.

Some people believe these problems can never be resolved and if it is to be resolved, it should be done by the government.

However, people with entrepreneurial mindset know that these problems are opportunities; and only those who act will turn these opportunities into profitable businesses.

Let’s explore some of the interesting business ideas to make money in Rwanda, Africa.



46. Food  Delivery Business Ideas in Rwanda

Starting a food delivery business is a profitable business venture, and can yield a high profit for any entrepreneur who is serious about the business.

All you need is to be creative as well as learn how to market your services.

47. Laundry Services

This is one of the fastest growing businesses in Rwanda.

There are a lot of people who are too overwhelmed by work that they may not have the time to wash their clothes. What you have to do is to keep your rates low and service quality high and thank me later.

Note: This type of business is especially profitable in a big city like Kigali.

48. Food Processing

This is a good profitable industry to consider .There are many foods and drinks that are not really difficult to learn how to make and are in high demand.

There are a lot of businesses you can do in this niche and examples of such businesses include chips production, jams, fruit juices, ice cream, yoghurts, cheese, tomatoes puree, etc.

49. Community Office Space

In our country, there’s a need in the market for office spaces that people can rent out on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis and provide a desk, internet service, printer, storage space, and even coffee.

This gives people who work for themselves a sense of community while allowing them to maintain their flexible work lifestyle.

50. Restaurant Business Ideas in Rwanda

In our country, the restaurant business has never gone out of fashion. If you think that you are an excellent cook or you can hire a great cook, you can start a restaurant business.



51. Bars and Night Clubs

If you have capital, investing on a bar or a night club may be a profitable business. It attracts tourists or people who are looking for a fun life.

Tell us about other smart business ideas using the comment box below.

52. Online Tutorial

In these days, Many people take online courses to make up for the knowledge they could not get in the classroom. If you can deliver online courses and tutorials on topics people are really interested in learning, people will pay for your services.

53. E-Services

This is a very promising venture for smart entrepreneurs and the best thing is that it requires Low start-up costs. You can setup a shop in Kigali, Huye or Musanze and start offering e-services to clients.

Example of such e-services include Web design, web development, Web hosting, App development, Digital marketing services, Banner design services, SMS services, etc.

54. Car and Machinery Spare Parts

As our country’s economy grows, so does our manufacturing industry. This has driven a rapid increase for capital goods such as machinery, lubricants, spare parts and other mechanical goods and accessories.

Find a good supplier from abroad, get a shop  and you are good to go.

55. Photography and Videography

All you need is a good camera, a studio and the necessary skills, and you are good to make money. Now you have it, a list of The Best Business ideas in Rwanda.