In Nigeria today, where the economy seems to be very tough, and starting a profitable business has become one way to beat the economy. In this article, you’ll learn the Top 3 Businesses to start with N100,000. Yes, you read well, as low as N100,000.
If you’ve been asking, “What kind of business can I start with N100,000 in Nigeria?”, this article is for you. We’ll walk through three realistic and proven business ideas that are doing well in 2026 especially for people who want to start small, work from home, or earn extra income.
The 3 businesses given here are very easy as A, B, C, and D. All you need to do is to go through it carefully, and you’ll be good to go.
2026 Guide: Top 3 Businesses To Start With N100,000 In Nigeria
Let’s dive right in.
1. Mini Importation Business
Startup Capital: ₦70,000–₦100,000
Profit Range: 50%–300% per item
Business Type: Online / Product-based
Mini importation is one of the hottest small businesses in Nigeria right now. It simply means buying goods in small quantities from foreign suppliers (especially in China) and selling them in Nigeria for profit.
With platforms like 1688.com, Alibaba, or AliExpress, you can source high-quality items at cheap prices, ship them through local agents, and resell them via social media or WhatsApp.
Why It Works So Well
- High profit margin: You can buy an item for ₦2,000 and sell for ₦6,000 or more.
- Low competition if you choose wisely: Niche products like baby accessories, home gadgets, or fashion items sell fast.
- Can be run from home: You don’t need a shop — just a smartphone and internet access.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose a niche: Examples include wristwatches, perfumes, phone accessories, ladies’ handbags, or kitchen tools.
- Find reliable suppliers: Use trusted agents or sourcing platforms like 1688 (for cheap Chinese goods).
- Order small quantities: Start with items worth ₦50,000 or less to test the market.
- Ship to Nigeria: Use a verified shipping agent — they’ll handle customs for you.
- Market your products: Start selling on WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram.
Cost Breakdown
₦50,000 – ₦70,000 for goods
₦10,000 – ₦20,000 for shipping and customs
₦10,000 for marketing and delivery
Free platforms like WhatsApp Status, Facebook Reels, or Instagram for sales
How to Grow
Once you build trust and get regular buyers, reinvest profits to buy more stock or different product lines. You can later build an online store, open a small shop, or even become a mini importation trainer.
2. Foodstuff Repackaging Business
Startup Capital: ₦50,000–₦100,000
Profit Range: 30%–80%
Business Type: Offline + Online
Food is life — literally. Everyone eats every day, regardless of the economy. That’s why starting a foodstuff repackaging business can be one of the smartest things to do in Nigeria today.
In this business, you buy bulk food items (like rice, beans, garri, crayfish, or spices) at wholesale prices and then repackage them into smaller, neatly branded packs of 1kg, 2kg, or 5kg for resale.
Why It’s a Great Business
- Constant demand: Food never goes out of fashion.
- Low risk: Even if sales are slow, your goods don’t go to waste quickly.
- Perfect for small spaces: You can operate from your kitchen or a corner of your house.
- Room for branding: You can stand out easily with a nice label and packaging.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Research your target market: Are you selling to students, busy professionals, or families?
- Buy in bulk: Visit major markets (like Ogbete, Mile 12, or Ogwashi-Uku Market) to get the best wholesale prices.
- Repackage neatly: Buy transparent nylon bags, sealing machine, and stickers for branding.
- Sell online and offline: Market to friends, offices, schools, or via WhatsApp.
Cost Breakdown
₦50,000 for food items
₦10,000 for nylon bags and sealing machine
₦10,000 for branding and stickers
₦10,000–₦20,000 for marketing or transport
Example of Products You Can Start With
- 50kg of Garri divided into 1kg packs (sold for ₦700–₦900 each)
- Crayfish, dry pepper, and spices in small sachets
- Beans, rice, or flour in branded pouches
How to Grow
You can grow this into a small food brand by registering your business with CAC, getting NAFDAC approval (for larger scale), and supplying to supermarkets or mini stores.
You can also build a social media presence where people can order food packs or monthly food bundles online.
3. Recharge Card And Data Reselling Business
Startup Capital: ₦30,000–₦80,000
Profit Range: ₦20–₦200 per sale (but adds up fast)
Business Type: Online
Everyone in Nigeria buys airtime, data, and pays bills — daily. That’s what makes recharge card and data reselling such a reliable small business. You become a vendor, reselling services like MTN, GLO, Airtel, and 9mobile data bundles, airtime top-ups, DSTV/GOTV subscriptions, and electricity bill payments.
It doesn’t require any physical product — everything is digital.
Why It’s a Great Business
Daily sales: People buy airtime and data every single day.
Low startup cost: You can start with as little as ₦5,000 wallet funding.
No inventory or waste: You only sell what your customers pay for.
Work from anywhere: All you need is a smartphone and data connection.
How It Works
Register with a VTU platform such as:
VTpass
Eazymobile
Recharge and Get Paid (RAGP)
Datawaynaija, etc.
Fund your wallet with ₦10,000–₦50,000.
Start selling to friends, students, and family.
Advertise on WhatsApp and Facebook.
Earn commissions on each sale, which you can withdraw instantly.
Cost Breakdown
₦10,000–₦20,000 to fund wallet
₦10,000 for data/airtime promotions
₦5,000–₦10,000 for a simple website or business page
₦10,000 for branding or flyers
How to Grow
Build a customer base by creating a WhatsApp or Telegram group where people can easily message you to buy airtime or data. Offer small bonuses to loyal customers.
Later, you can upgrade to become a sub-dealer on VTU platforms — meaning you’ll earn commissions from other resellers under you.
Bonus Tip: Combine Two Small Businesses
If you’re creative, you can even combine two of these ideas for faster growth. For example:
Combine data reselling with mini importation (sell both products and digital services).
Combine food repackaging with delivery service (home delivery of small food packs).
This way, you have multiple income streams, which is very important in Nigeria’s economy today.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business in Nigeria with ₦100,000 may sound impossible to some people, but as you can see, it’s very achievable. What matters most is your commitment, consistency, and creativity.
Don’t wait until you have millions before you start. Many successful entrepreneurs you see today began small — some even with less than ₦20,000. The secret is to start now, learn as you grow, and keep reinvesting your profits.