In Ghana, an entrepreneurial spirit thrives, and even with a modest capital of GHC 1,500 (approximately $100 USD, at an exchange rate of GHC 15 to $1), ordinary Ghanaians can embark on ventures that have the potential to grow. While this budget requires creativity, smart resourcefulness, and a focus on essential needs, it’s certainly enough to get started. The key is to identify low-overhead businesses that leverage existing skills, local demand, and minimal inventory.
Here are several viable business ideas that an ordinary Ghanaian can start with around $100, designed to suit a website publication format:
1. “Waakye” or Local Food Vending (Mobile/Small Scale)
The Idea: Waakye, kenkey, fried yam, or other popular local dishes are always in high demand for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. How $100 Helps:
- Ingredients: Purchase initial stock of rice, beans, leaves, oil, spices, and accompaniments.
- Basic Equipment: A medium-sized cooking pot, serving spoons, bowls, and basic packaging (polythene bags or small disposable containers).
- Location: Start from a home kitchen and sell from a small, strategic spot like a busy street corner, near an office block, or a market entrance. Growth Potential: Build a reputation for taste and hygiene, expand menu, get a small mobile cart, or eventually rent a small space. Key: Consistency in taste and hygiene is paramount.
2. Mobile Phone Accessories & Airtime Vendor
The Idea: Selling phone chargers, earphones, phone cases, screen protectors, and mobile airtime credit. How $100 Helps:
- Initial Stock: Purchase a small, diverse inventory of fast-moving, affordable accessories from wholesalers (e.g., Accra’s Opera Square or Kumasi’s Central Market). Focus on common phone models.
- Airtime: Allocate a portion for initial airtime credit (e.g., through mobile money vendor apps).
- Display: A small table or a mat in a busy area. Growth Potential: Expand inventory, add basic phone repairs (after learning a skill), or start selling used phones. Key: Keep up with current phone trends and offer competitive pricing.
3. ‘Pure Water’ (Sachet Water) Distribution
The Idea: Purchasing sachet water in bulk from distributors and selling to individuals, small shops, or offices. How $100 Helps:
- Bulk Purchase: Buy several bundles of sachet water at wholesale prices.
- Transportation: Funds can cover initial transport costs (e.g., hiring a tricycle or head porter for a day) or buying a strong headpan/cooler.
- Cooler Box: A basic cooler box for chilled water can increase sales, especially in hot weather. Growth Potential: Expand delivery routes, supply larger events, or even add other beverages. Key: Reliability of supply and keeping water chilled are important.
4. Second-hand Clothing (Aketekete/Fos) Vending
The Idea: Sourcing quality second-hand clothes (often called “Aketekete” or “Fos”) and reselling them. How $100 Helps:
- Sourcing: Visit large second-hand markets (e.g., Kantamanto in Accra, Kumasi Central Market) early in the morning to buy a bale or selection of clothes. Focus on trendy, good-condition items.
- Display: A few hangers, a rail, or simply spreading clothes on a clean mat in a busy area. Growth Potential: Specialize in specific items (e.g., jeans, dresses), set up a small stall, or sell online via social media groups. Key: Sharp eye for quality, cleanliness of clothes, and good bargaining skills.
5. Tailoring/Dressmaking (Basic Repairs & Alterations)
The Idea: Offering basic tailoring services like hemming, zipper replacements, button repairs, and simple alterations. How $100 Helps:
- Machine Deposit/Rental: Use a portion for a down payment or weekly rental of a sewing machine (manual ones are cheaper).
- Supplies: Thread, needles, scissors, measuring tape, zippers, and buttons.
- Marketing: Word-of-mouth and a small sign. Growth Potential: Learn to sew more complex designs, buy your own machine, or offer custom dressmaking. Key: Attention to detail, quick turnaround time, and good customer service.
6. Errands and Delivery Services (Foot/Bicycle)
The Idea: Running errands for busy individuals or small businesses, delivering small packages or documents within a local vicinity. How $100 Helps:
- Transport: A bicycle for faster movement (if you don’t already own one, this might stretch the budget but is a good investment).
- Marketing: Printing a few flyers, business cards, or relying on word-of-mouth.
- Mobile Credit: For communication with clients. Growth Potential: Expand delivery radius, acquire a motorbike, or hire additional help. Key: Punctuality, trustworthiness, and good communication.
7. Small-Scale Event Decorator (Balloons & Ribbons)
The Idea: Providing basic decoration services for small birthday parties, baby showers, or church events using balloons, ribbons, and simple fabrics. How $100 Helps:
- Initial Stock: Assorted balloons, ribbons, tapes, a hand pump, and possibly some basic fabric drapes.
- Portfolio: Use initial jobs (even for free for family/friends) to build a small photo portfolio. Growth Potential: Expand to more elaborate decorations, add lighting, rent chairs/tables, or partner with event planners. Key: Creativity, attention to detail, and a flair for aesthetics.
8. Phone Charging Kiosk (Solar or Generator powered)
The Idea: Providing phone charging services in areas with unreliable electricity or high foot traffic. How $100 Helps:
- Power Bank/Solar Charger: A robust power bank or a small solar charging kit (initial investment might take most of the $100).
- Multi-port Charger: To charge multiple phones simultaneously.
- Security: A small lockable box for phones.
- Location: A stool and a small table in a busy, accessible area. Growth Potential: Add mobile money services, airtime sales, or sell phone accessories. Key: Reliability of charging, security of devices, and a visible, safe location.
9. Home-Made Baked Goods/Snacks
The Idea: Baking simple items like Ghanaian ‘bofrot’ (doughnuts), ‘koose’ (bean cakes), ‘kelewele’ (spicy fried plantain), or simple cakes and selling them from home or a small roadside stall. How $100 Helps:
- Ingredients: Initial stock of flour, sugar, oil, yeast, fruits, or plantains.
- Basic Utensils: Bowls, frying pan, spatulas, and serving trays.
- Packaging: Small paper bags or clear plastic wraps. Growth Potential: Expand variety, supply small shops, or offer custom orders for events. Key: Unique taste, consistent quality, and attractive presentation.
10. Car Wash (Manual, Mobile)
The Idea: Offering manual car wash services for vehicles in a neighborhood or business district. How $100 Helps:
- Supplies: Buckets, sponges, car wash soap, polish, rags, and a few towels.
- Water Source: Access to a reliable water source (e.g., from home or a neighbor).
- Marketing: Word-of-mouth and a small sign. Growth Potential: Build a clientele, invest in a small pressure washer, or expand to tyre shining/interior cleaning. Key: Thoroughness, speed, and good customer interaction.
Key Advice for Starting Small:
- Solve a Problem: Identify a need in your community and offer a solution.
- Start Lean: Minimize initial expenses. Reinvest profits to grow.
- Quality & Service: Even with little capital, offer excellent products/services and treat customers well. Word-of-mouth is powerful.
- Learn Continuously: Be open to feedback, adapt, and learn new skills relevant to your business.
- Network: Connect with other small business owners and potential customers.
- Financial Discipline: Keep clear records of income and expenses, even if it’s just in a small notebook. Separate business money from personal money.
Starting a business with $100 in Ghana is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its people. With determination and smart choices, these small seeds can indeed grow into thriving ventures, contributing to both individual prosperity and national development.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
