Best Businesses to Start Near Universities in Kenya
In Kenya, the areas surrounding universities are filled with activity, most having diverse populations of over 20,000 students. This presents many opportunities for entrepreneurs looking for Businesses to Start Near Universities in Kenya.
The symbiotic relationship between these businesses and the university student population creates a win-win scenario.
Businesses thrive by providing products and services that cater to the needs of students, while students benefit from the convenience and accessibility of these offerings.
Discover how you can tap into this vibrant market and create a successful venture that generates profit and enhances the university experience for students.
Top 20 Businesses to Start Near Universities in Kenya
1. Gas Refilling business
Starting a gas refilling business near universities in Kenya can be a lucrative venture. With most students using 6kg gas cylinders, there is a consistent demand for refills, making it a stable source of income.
You can offer refilling services for popular brands like K Gas, Pro Gas, and others, catering to the needs of students living both on and off campus.
Since it takes around 2 months for a campus student to deplete a gas cylinder, you can capitalize on this regular consumption pattern by providing timely and convenient refilling services.
2. Snacks and Fast Foods
Campus students often have packed schedules with numerous classes and activities, leaving them with no time to go and to cook. This creates a high demand for quick and convenient meals that they can grab on the go.
Popular items among students include chips (French fries), bhajias , smocha, smokies, sausages, burgers, hotdogs, and samosas.
3. Grocery Store (Mama Mboga)
Students, like everyone else, require regular access to fresh produce and other essentials. Items such as cabbages, spinach, sukuma wiki (kale), potatoes, onions, and tomatoes are staples in many Kenyan diets, making them reliable sellers.
Avocados are particularly popular among students and can be a lucrative product to sell. Avocados are in high demand and can fetch good profits.
By offering a variety of fresh and quality produce, you can attract a steady stream of customers who rely on your store for their daily food needs.
4. Beauty Shop
By offering a variety of women’s beauty products such as skincare items, makeup, hair care products, and also accessories, you can cater to their needs and attract steady clients.
Strategically locating your beauty shop near a salon can further enhance your business’s profitability.
This proximity allows you to capitalize on the traffic generated by the salon, as customers may visit your shop while waiting for their salon appointments or after their beauty treatments.
Additionally, collaborating with the salon to offer bundled services or discounts can attract more customers and increase your sales.
5. Salon
Providing quality salon services and building trust with your customers are key factors in attracting and retaining university student clients.
Offering a range of services such as hair styling, manicures, and pedicures can appeal to students looking for convenient and comprehensive beauty treatments.
Additionally, providing door-to-door services can further enhance your business’s appeal, especially for students who may have busy schedules and prefer the convenience of receiving services in their own accommodation.
6. Barber Shop (Kinyozi)
Many university students prefer to maintain stylish hairstyles that require regular grooming, making a barber shop a popular choice among them.
Students typically shave once every two weeks, and they often develop loyalty to a particular barber over time.
Providing professional haircuts and excellent customer service are essential for building a loyal customer base among students.
7. Boda boda and Tuktuk Services
University students often need to move around the campus and surrounding areas for various reasons, such as attending classes, running errands, or socializing.
Providing reliable and safe transportation services can meet the mobility needs of students and offer them a convenient way to travel.
To succeed in this business, it’s essential to comply with local regulations regarding transportation services and prioritize the safety of your passengers.
8. Pool Table Business
Many students enjoy playing pool as a form of leisure and social activity, making it a popular choice for entertainment.
Charging a reasonable fee, such as 20 Kenyan shillings per game, can attract students looking for affordable entertainment options.
Additionally, maintaining the pool table in good condition and providing a comfortable and inviting environment, with features like good lighting and a quality music system, can enhance the overall experience for players.
9. Clothes and Shoes Selling
Selling clothes and shoes near a university campus can be a profitable venture, as university students are always looking for stylish and affordable clothing options.
The term “kuchapa luku” is used by students to describe dressing well, indicating a high value placed on fashion and appearance.
One popular option for selling clothes near universities is the Mitumba business, which involves selling second-hand clothing.
Mitumba clothing is often more affordable than new clothes and is known for its good quality, making it a popular choice among students looking to dress stylishly on a budget.
10. Milk Selling
Offering a milk ATM, where customers can purchase fresh milk directly from the machine, can attract students looking for convenient and affordable dairy products.
Additionally, selling homemade yoghurt in various flavours, maziwa mala (cultured milk), cakes, and mandazis (East African doughnuts) can provide students with a variety of options for snacks and meals.
11. Furniture Workshop
Students often seek to decorate their living spaces with stylish and functional furniture.
Offering a range of products such as shoe racks, closets, tables, beds, and chairs can cater to students’ diverse needs and preferences.
A professional carpenter who can customize products according to the students’ specifications and needs is essential for this business.
12. Hotels
Students who live in university hostels or are too busy to cook may visit hotels that offer fresh foods 24/7.
When running a hotel catering to students, it’s important to consider factors such as price, quality, and quantity of food.
Offering a variety of affordable and nutritious meal options that appeal to students’ tastes can help attract and retain customers.
13. Cooked Food Business
Offering a variety of freshly cooked dishes such as ndengu (green grams), minji (green peas), beans, githeri (a mix of maize and beans), njahi (black beans), and chapati can cater to diverse tastes and preferences of students.
Students may not always have the time or resources to cook these foods themselves, making them a popular choice for quick and satisfying meals.
14. video games shop
Students enjoy video games as a form of entertainment. Offering a variety of popular games and gaming consoles, such as PlayStation, can attract students looking for a fun and gaming experience.
Most PlayStation games cost around 40 Kenyan shillings to play one match, making them an affordable option for students looking to unwind and have fun.
15. Bicycle Lending
Renting bicycles at a rate of 100 Kenyan shillings per hour, with students leaving their ID cards as insurance, can provide a convenient and affordable option for students looking to stretch their legs and explore the area.
16. Refilling Perfumes
It is the custom of University students to smell nice. This is because the refilling perfumes are cheaper and surprisingly very nice smelling.
Offering refilling services for perfumes at a cost as low as 100 Kenyan shillings can provide students with a more affordable alternative to buying new perfumes.
17. Photography
Offering indoor studio or outdoor photography services can cater to students looking for professional and high-quality photoshoots.
Charging a reasonable rate, such as 50 Kenyan shillings per photo, can attract students looking for affordable photography services.
To succeed in this business, it’s important to have a good quality camera and equipment, as well as skills in photography and editing.
18. Bookshop
Offering a variety of stationery items such as notebooks, pens, pencils, and other writing materials can cater to students’ needs and provide them with convenient access to these essential items.
Additionally, stocking a selection of academic books, novels, and reference materials can attract students looking for study materials.
19. Chemist
Providing a wide range of products such as medications, first aid supplies and personal care items can cater to students’ needs.
Additionally, offering services such as prescription fulfilment, health consultations, and basic medical supplies can further enhance your business’s appeal to students.
20. Laptop, Phone Sales, and Repair Services
Offering a selection of affordable laptops, typically priced below 30,000 Kenyan shillings, can attract students looking for budget-friendly options.
Additionally, selling phones can also be profitable, as these devices are in high demand among students for staying connected and accessing information.
Offering repair services for laptops and phones can further enhance your business’s appeal.
