25+ Best small business ideas and jobs to make money online in Cameroon 

  25+ Best small business ideas and jobs to make money online in Cameroon 

             If your dream is to become self-employed and make money in Cameroon, then this post will give you tried and tested small business ideas in Cameroon that have been able to employ many. We all know searching for traditional or online jobs in Cameroon is daunting. But there are many business opportunities in Cameroon, which are legit and profitable and have created employment opportunities for youths like yourself. 

  We are going to cover how to make money online in Cameroon. These will be beneficial to those who want to start online businesses in Cameroon or those searching for Online job opportunities in Cameroon. These opportunities can help them to become self-employed by starting a business online they own and control.

 We will also cover some profitable small business ideas in Cameroon you should consider if you intend to start a small business in your community. When it comes to starting a business in Cameroon, you will find many businesses concentrated in Douala, which is the economic capital of the country and Yaounde, which is the political capital of the country. 

Other vibrant towns in Cameroon include Bamenda, Buea, Limbe and Bafoussam. These towns host many small businesses. You should consider them when planning to start your small business in Cameroon. 

For online business lovers, let’s begin with some online business opportunities in Cameroon. 

How to make money online in Cameroon

  There are many ways to earn money online in Cameroon with your smartphone or laptop, and most of these online opportunities require just a little or no startup capital. So for those looking for how to make money online in Cameroon without investment, this is also for you. Let’s Explore.

1. Start a social media blog
2.  Sell items online
3.  Start a website blog
4.  Become a freelancer
5.  Become an Affiliate Marketer
6.  Become an online Tutor

     How to make money online in Cameroon as a student #1 Start a social media blog

  Starting a social media blog is not only a great online job for students in Cameroon, it is for every lover of social media blogging. Social media blogging is a good example of how to make money online in Cameroon without investment. This doesn’t mean you won’t invest if you intend to build a successful social media blog, but the startup capital can be small when compared to other small businesses.

      While starting a social media blog is easy, it takes time and experience to build large followings, but when your blog starts gaining traction, you will be glad you did the work. Social media blogs are a great side hustle for many online entrepreneurs, some even depend on their social media blogs as their full source of monthly income.

Here are a few ways to monetize your social media blog

• Sponsored Posts
•  Become a Paid Influencer
•  Affiliate Marketing
•  Sell a service related to your niche
•  Sell Physical Products
•  Sell Digital Products
•  Drive traffic to your website

And lots more. 

#2 Use money-making apps in Cameroon to buy and sell online

 There are e-commerce platforms in Cameroon and social media apps that make it easy for you to buy and sell in Cameroon. You can use money-making apps in Cameroon like Instagram and Facebook, to start a lucrative online business which can generate lots of revenue. 

A social media app like Facebook makes it easy for you to reach a wider audience and market your products to them. To reach your target customers faster, consider using Facebook ads to drive quick sales. But before you get started, make sure to validate the product you want to sell online. It should be a product that your target customers consider to be valuable.

#3 Start a website blog

         Starting a blog is a great way to make money online in Cameroon. Blogs can be started in almost every niche, but ensuring your niche is profitable is a great place to start. One blogging temptation among new bloggers is some of them fall into the temptation of starting a blog based only on their hobbies. 

 Blogging has greatly evolved over the years, and if you must consider starting a money-making blog, then be ready to treat it as a business because indeed, blogging is a business. What if your hobby is something very few people know about or are interested in?

Unless your hobby represents a new niche which is fast evolving and has huge growth potential in the near future, you may find it very difficult to monetize such a blog if it only attracts very few monthly readers. Here’s what you should consider when picking a niche for your blog.

• You should make sure your niche is relevant and will stay relevant for years to come
• Check the potential market this niche represents
• Check the possible ways in which the niche can be monetized.
• Make a self-assessment if you can create valuable content in this niche
• Ask yourself if you can stay consistent in the niche or if you will soon quickly run out of ideas. 

Once your blog is up and running with several articles and you’ve implemented ways to drive traffic to your blog, like SEO, you will start attracting traffic to your blog, which you can monetize to make money online in Cameroon. The most common way to start monetizing your blog is through ads. But there are more ways you should consider as your site evolves. 

 That’s to your blogging success. 

#4 Become a freelancer

            Freelancing is another great way to make money online in Cameroon. Freelancers are independent workers, as they work for clients on a contract basis. They are also open to a larger market, as they can work with clients from across the globe.

Freelancers in Cameroon also enjoy the advantage of earning in foreign currencies, which are higher than theirs. This can be a big plus as a freelancer as a single foreign client from a developed country can pay you up to 10 times what you earn locally for offering the same services in Cameroon. 

 If you are a copywriter, graphic designer, web developer, application developer, writer, digital marketer, SEO specialist, or you have other skills, which can be bought and sold over the internet, then becoming a freelancer in Cameroon can be a good idea.

Freelancing is also a great way to make money online in Cameroon as a student since you can choose only clients that fit your schedule. 

There’s money to be made as a freelancer, and there’s work to be done. Freelancing is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and just like every other business, you need to be dedicated to building your freelancing business. You can get started on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork, but building a successful freelancing business goes beyond that. 

#5 Start Affiliate Marketing in Cameroon

 As an affiliate marketer, you promote the products of other people or companies, for a commission.

 The good thing about being an affiliate marketer is there’s no limit to how much you can earn. Your earnings are determined by the number of sales you can make for a business. So the more sales you make for a business, the more commissions you get paid.

As an affiliate marketer, you can also promote the products of one or more businesses. You also have the right to stop promoting products if their policies no longer align with your values or beliefs.

To succeed as an affiliate marketer, you need to build a loyal following online. If you have loyal followers on social media, you can start from there, but having a website/blog for your affiliate marketing business is a better option if you intend to build a passive income business which can serve you for years. 

 #6 Become an online Tutor

Online tutoring is another great way to make money online in Cameroon. Many people earn money online in Cameroon by tutoring students worldwide. You can tutor different subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English, and lots more. 

Coming from a country that speaks English, you have an advantage, as there’s a large market of foreigners who want to learn the English language for different purposes. 

Some want to learn how to read and write in English, while others want to learn strictly business English. They want to be more fluent in English to serve foreign English-speaking clients doing business with them. 

Before venturing into this, ensure you live in an area with a fast internet network. Some platforms to start on include Preply, Italki, and Cambly.

Best small business ideas in Cameroon

What is a small business?

Small businesses are usually modest-sized companies, often kicked off by passionate individuals or a close-knit group. Their goal? To provide products or services to their local community or a specialized market. Small businesses stand apart from the corporate giants; they’re your corner coffee shop, the cosy family bakery, or the friendly local tech expert. Small businesses are the heart and soul of entrepreneurship, where big dreams start with a small footprint.

Top 3 Best small business ideas for students in Cameroon 

Best small business idea for students in Cameroon #1 Start a tutoring Service

This is one of the most lucrative small businesses for students in Cameroon.  Starting a tutorial service business is a great side hustle for university students to make extra money.

This works best for students who have a high mastery of subjects. They can set up paid one-on-one or group tutorial classes with other students who need extra help. 

        You can also offer tutoring services to primary and secondary school students, living in your neighbourhood. Most parents are willing to pay private tutors to assist their children in learning better at home. One great thing about tutoring is while tutoring others, you are learning more in the process and still getting paid. This is a small business idea you should consider.

Best small business idea for students in Cameroon #2 Offer Cleaning Services

    If you have a knack for cleaning, starting a cleaning business in Cameroon can be a good idea. 

There are several cleaning job opportunities in Cameroon, and you can set up a small cleaning business to serve this market. If you are starting alone, startup costs can be low, so this makes for a great small business idea in Cameroon for students.

• Residential homes need cleaners to clean their houses and surroundings
• Local and corporate businesses need cleaners to keep their business premises clean

In vibrant cities like Douala, Yaounde, and Buea, cleaners are mostly hired, by people who want to move into a new home. These cleaners are required to clean up the house and its surroundings for its new occupants. Once you’ve started your cleaning business, try to spread the word. For a start, you can utilize word of mouth and social media advertising to reach even more clients.

Best small business idea for students in Cameroon #3 Offer Tailoring Services

Many students have a mastery of basic tailoring skills, which they happened to have acquired mostly during holidays. If you are skilled in tailoring, you can offer tailoring services to other students and those in your neighbourhood.

We all need to mend our clothes frequently or have a tailor sew us simple wears. This business can be a lucrative side hustle which you can do from home during your free time while creating time for your studies.

Just like most businesses, the beginning may be slow, but if you are good at what you do, word is going to go around fast and you will start getting some jobs which can help to sustain your lifestyle as a student. This is a lucrative small business idea for female students who are skilled in tailoring to consider. 

Top 3 Low Capital Businesses in Cameroon

#1 Start a Fast Food Business

 It is no secret that many Cameroonians, especially those in large cities and towns like Douala, Yaounde, Bamenda, Buea, Limbe, Bafoussam and lots more love to eat out. Starting a fast food business is not only profitable, but it may also require a relatively low startup cost as compared to other businesses. You also have the choice to operate either a mobile fast food business or have a location for your fast food business. 

 Here is a menu of common foods served at fast food outlets in the country. 

• Spaghetti and egg 
• Fried Irish Potato and egg 
• Fried plantains and egg
• Fried rice and Chicken
• Tea
• Hamburger
• Pancakes
• Ice Cream 
• Shawarma
• Grilled Fish

            If you have a low startup capital, you can pick one or two fast foods from the menu, to start with. If you want to set up a larger fast-food business, then feel free to experiment, after all, you’ve got the resources. Always remember location is key when starting a fast food business. So try to locate your business along busy streets where busy people can easily find you.

#2 Car Wash

With the growing population in Cameroon, the number of car owners is constantly on the rise, especially in urban areas where many people are learning how to drive.  Starting a car wash business in Cameroon can be lucrative, especially in urban areas along busy streets. Investing in a car wash business is a great way to serve this growing number of car owners and bike riders. When deciding on the location of your car wash, you should choose a high-traffic street used by many vehicle owners. 

Also, ensure the area is secured and is void of tall trees, as a falling branch can cause damage to a car. 

 #3 Beauty Care Business 

 Beauty care businesses offer a variety of cosmetic treatments and services to both men and women. The beauty industry is booming as many people want to look good. Beauty salons may offer services like professional hair cutting and styling, manicures, pedicures, and makeup. Starting a beauty salon can be profitable in Cameroon, and it is a small business idea you should consider.

 #4 Catering 

        Catering businesses cater for events by offering their services to individuals and businesses. This is a unique food business idea to start in Cameroon for those who have a knack for cooking and serving meals. Many occasions are organized daily from political events, corporate events, birthday ceremonies, weddings, funerals, baby showers, graduation parties, church events and lots more. Starting a catering business in Cameroon to serve this audience is a sure way to monetize your cooking skills. 

#6 Transport business

Even though the transport sector in Cameroon is still highly underdeveloped, this sector has proven to be able to offer lots of employment opportunities to many Cameroonians. Before starting a transport business, it is good to identify the transportation needs of those you intend to serve. This will help you in deciding the type of transportation service they need.

#7 Start a video gaming parlour

        Starting a gaming parlour can be both fun and profitable. Gaming is a great pass-time, especially among youths. It is a common habit for game lovers to meet and challenge each other in gaming parlours. This is the best time they get to exhibit their gaming prowess.

Here are a few boxes you should tick when starting your gaming parlour.

• Choose a good and secure location
• Ask your target clients the kind of games they frequently play
• Go for the latest games 
• Your TVs should be of good quality
• Once you get started, market your business. You can invest little in social media ads to quickly spread the word. Offering discounts to new customers can also help to attract more gamers to your gaming parlour.

#8 Start a brick-making business in Cameroon

       Starting a brick-making business in Cameroon can be profitable even in the long term. The demand for housing facilities is constantly rising, especially in urban areas like Douala, Yaounde, Buea, Bamenda, Limbe, Bafoussam and lots more. If you’ve identified areas within the country where building construction is rising, setting up a brick-making business, can be profitable.

#9 Mobile money business

      You can also start up a mobile money business in Cameroon. This business can also be profitable, especially if your business can attract clients who regularly carry out large transactions. You can get started with MTN mobile money, by MTN Cameroon or Orange money by Orange Cameroon. 

Agricultural businesses to start in Cameroon

# 1 Animal raring  

• Livestock Farming
• Pig Farming
• Poultry Farming
• Fish Farming
• Bee Farming (Apiculture)

#2 Cocoa Farming

Cocoa is a popular cash crop in Cameroon. Cocoa farming is a profitable small business in Cameroon in the agricultural space that has transformed the lives of many farmers. If you are interested in starting a cocoa farm, you should undergo a short training to learn more about how to grow and market this cash crop. 

#3 Palm kernel 

Starting a palm plantation is also a great small business idea you should consider. The demand for palm oil is constantly on the rise as the population of Cameroon keeps increasing. This sector is very profitable, but before you start your palm plantation, it is important to undergo a short training to learn how to grow palm kernels. If you don’t intend to start your farm from scratch, you can easily find palm plantations to buy or rent in the Littoral and Southwest regions of Cameroon.

#4 Potato Farming

Another small business idea you can start in the agricultural sector in Cameroon is potato farming. The two categories you can cultivate are Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. They are always in high demand across the country. 

• Irish Potatoes:  Requires intensive care and capital to buy seedlings, manure, fertilizers and insecticides
• Sweet Potatoes: Low risk and little investment to get started.

#5 Cassava Farming

Cassava farming is also a lucrative small business idea in the agricultural sector in Cameroon. Cassava farming requires a low startup capital and maintenance cost. You can grow and sell your cassava farm, or harvest and sell the cassava, as it is or have it processed.

#6 Commercial Yam Farming 

Commercial yam cultivation is also another profitable agricultural sector you can venture into. When it comes to yam cultivation, Cameroon is blessed with varieties. These yam products are always in high demand across the country. Since they are mostly seasonal, market demand for these products is always high. The three categories that are in demand include

• Sweet Yams
• Yellow Yams
• White Yams

#7 Banana /Plantain Plantation Farming

Bananas and plantains are highly consumed in Cameroon. If you are in the agricultural sector and are considering starting a small business, then consider starting a plantain/banana plantation to serve the food needs of the local population and some neighbouring countries.

#8 Fruits and Vegetables business

Fruits and vegetables are always in high demand across Cameroon. If you love this line of business, you can either decide to be a producer, wholesaler, or retailer of a single or variety of fruits and vegetables. Below are the fruits and vegetables that are always in high demand across the country. 

Fruits 

• Pear
• Oranges
• Pineapples
• Watermelons
• Paw Paw

Vegetables

• Huckleberry

Final Thoughts

 How to make money in Cameroon can go from simple to complex, depending on the path you want to take. For starters, you either get a job or start a small business. Job vacancies in Cameroon are few, and sometimes the pay can be low. 

Job hunting can be exhausting for some people, especially those with a passion for entrepreneurship, and for them, starting a small business is a better option to consider. In this post, we covered profitable online and traditional business ideas you can start in Cameroon.

So whether you are thinking of how to make money online in Cameroon or thinking of some profitable small business ideas to start in Cameroon, this post has a couple of them that you should consider. Whatever business idea you choose to get started with, you should know building a successful business takes time. Avoid shortcuts, put in the work to start and grow your business, and soon, you will be proud of the sacrifices you’ve made.