Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape is filled with businesses that are not just innovative but also downright surprising. These ventures are often born out of necessity, cultural peculiarities, or resourcefulness, leading to enterprises you won't find anywhere else. Here’s a deep dive into 20 of the most unexpected businesses that exist in Africa, showcasing the continent's unique blend of tradition, creativity, and adaptability.
1. Mobile Panga/Knife Sharpening Business
One of the most unexpected yet practical businesses in Africa is the mobile knife and machete sharpening service. These entrepreneurs travel through villages and cities with portable sharpening tools, offering on-the-spot sharpening for knives, pangas (machetes), and other bladed tools. In rural areas where agricultural activities are prevalent, keeping tools sharp is essential, and this service saves time and effort for locals who rely on their tools daily.
Sharpeners often carry pedal-powered machines attached to bicycles, allowing them to set up shop virtually anywhere. The demand for this service is particularly high in farming communities and marketplaces, where sharp tools are essential for daily tasks. It's a simple yet effective business model that thrives on mobility and convenience.
2. Evening Roadside Pop-Up Restaurants
In many African cities, the streets come alive at night with a variety of makeshift food stalls and pop-up restaurants. These "mamaput" or "chop bars" offer local delicacies like grilled meats, stews, and street snacks. While street food is common worldwide, the scale and variety of these pop-up restaurants in Africa are unique.
These vendors typically set up in busy areas where workers and students pass by on their way home, turning empty streets into bustling food markets. The meals are often cooked on charcoal stoves or open fires, adding a distinct flavor that draws in customers. In places like Accra, Lagos, and Nairobi, these nighttime eateries are an integral part of the urban landscape, providing affordable meals and fostering community interaction.
3. Coffin Business with a Twist
In Ghana, funerals are elaborate events, often seen as a final celebration of life. This cultural significance has given rise to a unique business: the creation of custom-designed coffins. These coffins are not the typical wooden boxes; they are crafted into intricate shapes that represent the deceased’s life, profession, or interests.
You might find coffins shaped like airplanes, cars, fish, or even Coca-Cola bottles. These custom coffins are a way to honor the deceased in a highly personalized manner, and the craftsmanship involved is truly remarkable. The tradition is particularly strong among the Ga people in Ghana, where funerals are as much about celebrating the individual’s life as they are about mourning their death.
4. Rent-a-Mourner Services
In some African cultures, particularly in parts of Ghana and Nigeria, the display of grief during funerals is seen as a sign of respect and love for the deceased. To ensure that their loved one’s funeral is appropriately mourned, some families hire professional mourners. These individuals, known as "cry ladies" or "wailers," attend funerals to cry, wail, and express grief, often following a script to make the event appear more emotionally charged.
This service is especially sought after in cases where the deceased was elderly or highly respected, and a large turnout is expected. The business of renting mourners might seem strange to outsiders, but within these cultures, it’s an accepted practice that adds to the gravitas of the funeral ceremony.
5. Professional Cuddle Businesses
In some African cities, the hustle and bustle of urban life can lead to feelings of isolation and stress. To combat this, professional cuddle services have emerged as a surprising business model. These businesses offer non-sexual physical comfort through cuddling, a practice that is believed to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Clients pay for cuddle sessions, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. The practice might seem unusual, but it taps into the growing awareness of mental health and the importance of physical touch in emotional well-being. While this type of business is more commonly associated with Western countries, its emergence in Africa highlights the continent’s evolving attitudes towards mental health and self-care.
6. Pet Hyena Business
In Nigeria, particularly in urban areas like Lagos and Kaduna, there is a subculture known as the "Hyena Men." These individuals keep hyenas, baboons, and pythons as pets and use them in street performances. The Hyena Men, who belong to the Hausa ethnic group, travel around cities with their animals, putting on shows that attract large crowds.
While this might seem like an extreme form of street entertainment, the business is surprisingly lucrative. The Hyena Men make money by charging spectators for photos or performances and by selling traditional medicines that they claim are made from the animals. The practice is deeply rooted in local traditions and has become a unique part of Nigeria’s urban culture, though it is also controversial due to concerns about animal welfare.
7. The Camel Beauty Pageant
In some parts of North Africa, particularly in Egypt and Morocco, camels are highly valued for their beauty, leading to the creation of camel beauty pageants. These events are not just about the animals' physical appearance but also about celebrating cultural heritage and the economic importance of camels in these regions.
Owners spend considerable time and money grooming their camels, ensuring they meet the criteria for beauty, which includes factors like the size of their humps, the length of their necks, and the straightness of their legs. The winning camels can fetch high prices in auctions, and the prestige associated with winning these pageants is immense. These events are a unique blend of tradition, commerce, and showmanship that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
8. Snake Farming for Anti-Venom Production
Snake farming is a unique business found in countries like Kenya and South Africa, where venomous snakes are bred for the purpose of producing anti-venom. These farms breed species such as cobras, mambas, and puff adders, carefully extracting their venom in controlled environments.
The venom is then sent to laboratories where it is used to create anti-venom, which is critical for treating snakebite victims. In Africa, where snakebites are a significant public health issue, the demand for anti-venom is high. Snake farming is a highly specialized and potentially dangerous business, but it plays a vital role in saving lives.
9. Hired Social Media Commenters
In countries like Nigeria and Kenya, where social media plays a significant role in public discourse, a new type of business has emerged: hired social media commenters. These individuals or groups are paid to flood social media platforms with comments that support a particular political figure, brand, or cause.
Known as "keyboard warriors" or "social media influencers," they can sway public opinion by making a topic trend or by discrediting opponents. This business model is particularly prevalent during election periods or in the promotion of products and services. While it may raise ethical concerns, it underscores the power of social media in shaping narratives in Africa.
10. Trash-to-Art Businesses
In many African cities, waste management is a significant challenge. Some enterprising individuals have turned this problem into an opportunity by creating art from trash. These "trash-to-art" businesses collect discarded materials like plastic bottles, metal scraps, and old tires and transform them into beautiful sculptures, furniture, and home décor items.
Artists in countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Senegal have gained international recognition for their work, which often highlights environmental issues. This business model not only promotes recycling and environmental awareness but also provides a source of income for artists and waste collectors.
11. Gumboot Dancing Entertainment
Originating from South Africa, gumboot dancing is a form of dance that involves performers wearing heavy rubber boots and using them to create rhythmic sounds by stomping, slapping, and tapping. While gumboot dancing started as a way for miners to communicate in the dark, oppressive conditions of apartheid-era mines, it has evolved into a popular form of entertainment.
Today, gumboot dance troupes perform at events, festivals, and even corporate functions, providing a unique form of entertainment that is deeply rooted in South African history. The business of gumboot dancing is both a celebration of cultural heritage and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
12. Voodoo Market Business
In West Africa, particularly in countries like Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, the practice of voodoo is an integral part of local culture. This has given rise to a unique business: the voodoo market. These markets sell items used in traditional spiritual practices, such as animal parts, herbs, bones, and talismans.
Customers visit these markets to purchase ingredients for rituals or to consult with voodoo priests, who offer services like divination, protection spells, and healing. The voodoo market is not just a place of commerce but also a cultural hub where traditions are preserved and passed down through generations. While it may seem strange to outsiders, the voodoo market plays a vital role in the spiritual lives of many West Africans.
13. Termite Hill Mining
In certain parts of Africa, particularly in Tanzania, termite mounds are mined for their rich soil and mineral content. These termite hills are often found to contain gold, and local miners dig into them in the hope of striking it rich. The termites bring up minerals from deep underground, creating a concentrated deposit in the mounds.
This practice, known as "termite hill mining," is a low-cost and low-tech method of prospecting for gold. While the yields are typically small, it is a viable source of income for many people in rural areas. The business of termite hill mining is a testament to the resourcefulness of African entrepreneurs who find value in even the most unlikely places.
14. Boda Boda Ambulance Services
While boda boda (motorcycle taxis) are a common sight in many African cities, in Uganda, some enterprising individuals have taken the concept a step further by converting these motorcycles into makeshift ambulances. Boda boda ambulances are equipped with a stretcher, first-aid kit, and a canopy to protect patients from the elements.
These ambulances are used to transport patients in areas where regular ambulances cannot reach due to poor road conditions or where there is a lack of healthcare infrastructure. The boda boda ambulance service is a low-cost solution to a critical problem, providing life-saving transportation in emergencies.
15. Anthill Brick Making
In countries like Mozambique and Zimbabwe, anthills are harvested for their soil, which is then used to make bricks. The soil from anthills is known for its strength and durability, making it an ideal material for brickmaking. Local entrepreneurs dig up the anthills, mix the soil with water, and mold it into bricks, which are then sun-dried or baked in kilns.
This method of brickmaking is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as it utilizes natural resources that are abundant in the region. The bricks produced from anthill soil are used in construction projects, providing affordable housing solutions for local communities.
16. Shea Butter Cooperative Businesses
Shea butter, a popular ingredient in cosmetics and skincare products, is derived from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows primarily in West Africa. In countries like Ghana, women’s cooperatives have sprung up around the production of shea butter, providing a source of income for thousands of women in rural areas.
These cooperatives harvest the nuts, process them into butter using traditional methods, and then sell the product both locally and internationally. The business of shea butter production is not only a vital economic activity but also a means of empowering women and preserving traditional knowledge.
17. Cow Horn Crafts
In Ethiopia and Sudan, the horns of cattle are used to create a variety of crafts, from combs and buttons to jewelry and ornaments. This craft has been practiced for generations, and the products are highly valued for their durability and aesthetic appeal.
Artisans carefully select, clean, and shape the horns into intricate designs, which are then sold in local markets or exported. The business of cow horn crafts is a unique example of how traditional skills are being adapted to meet modern market demands, providing a sustainable livelihood for many communities.
18. Grasshopper Harvesting
In Uganda, grasshoppers, known locally as "nsenene," are considered a delicacy and are harvested during the rainy seasons. Entrepreneurs have turned this seasonal activity into a thriving business by developing innovative ways to catch and process these insects.
Grasshopper harvesters use bright lights to attract the insects at night, trapping them in large containers. The grasshoppers are then roasted, salted, and sold in markets or by street vendors. This business not only provides a source of protein for local diets but also generates significant income during the harvest season.
19. Floating Markets
In some parts of Africa, particularly in the Niger Delta and Lake Victoria, where waterways are the primary mode of transportation, floating markets have become a unique business model. Vendors operate from boats, selling everything from fresh produce and fish to household goods and clothing.
These floating markets are vital to the local economy, providing goods to communities that are otherwise difficult to reach by land. The markets also serve as social hubs, where people come to trade, interact, and share news. The business of floating markets is a fascinating example of how commerce adapts to the challenges of geography.
20. Hair Theft Business
In South Africa, particularly in cities like Johannesburg, a bizarre and criminal business has emerged: the theft of hair from women. Gangs target women with long, natural hair or expensive weaves, cutting off their hair in public places to sell it on the black market. The stolen hair is then resold to salons, where it is used to create wigs and hair extensions.
This underground trade is driven by the high demand for natural hair and weaves, which can be sold for a significant profit. While the business is illegal and dangerous, it highlights the lengths to which people will go to capitalize on beauty trends in the region.
Conclusion
Africa's entrepreneurial landscape is as diverse as the continent itself. These unusual businesses reflect the resourcefulness, creativity, and cultural uniqueness of African entrepreneurs. From the bizarre to the ingenious, these ventures demonstrate how African innovation often arises from necessity, turning challenges into opportunities in the most unexpected ways.
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