Introduction
Contrary to common opinion, starting an electronics business in Kenya does not require knowledge of the same. All you need is the ability to learn and good capital to start the enterprise. Further, this enterprise is quite flexible as you can start it with a capital of only KES3,500 and plough back profits to expand your business.
However, starting with low capital will mean that you will have to work a little harder to attract the right customers due to your limited products. Therefore, upgrading your capital to around KES100,000+ is recommended. Nevertheless, let’s dive into how to start and run a successful electronics business in Kenya.
Capital requirement for an electronics business in Kenya
Any business requires a good capital investment. Having KES100,000 will propel you in the right business direction.
However, if you have more than this amount, you have an opportunity to invest and start a bigger electronics shop. The advantage of starting big is that you have a strong base that will help you beat the competition. You are also able to purchase a larger inventory thus you can grant your customers discounts. This will help your business gain, loyal clients.
In general, the capital you invest will be spent on the following:
| Task | Expenditure in KES |
| Rent | 15,000 |
| Licenses | 10,000 |
| Inventory | 40,000 |
| Complements of electronics shop e.g., shelves, counters, security system etc. | 30,000 |
| Branding and marketing | 5,000 |
| Total | 100,000 |
Creating a business plan will help you plan your ideas and organize your finances so that your startup process can be smooth.
Download our custom electronics shop business plan guide e-book here.
Choose a suitable location
The best location for an electronics business in Kenya is near towns or within business districts. Starting this enterprise in a rural area will leave you in tears as electronics are not used there as much as in urban areas.
Important to note is that setting up your business next or inside an urban place is more costly than setting it up elsewhere.
The cost of licenses also varies with location. Do proper research in your local Huduma Centre before setting aside a specific amount of money for licenses.
Obtain licenses
Legal compliance is key when starting an electronics business in Kenya. You should budget approximately KSh.10,000 to obtain all required licenses and permits.
This covers registering your company with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for taxes and with eCitizen for government services. Properly licensing your business helps avoid potential lawsuits and penalties down the road. It shows customers and lenders you are a legitimate enterprise.
Don’t overlook this crucial startup step, even though it takes time and fees initially. Having your licenses in order sets your electronics venture up for smooth operations and future growth.
Consider hiring an attorney or accountant to ensure you meet all licensing requirements. The investment will prevent headaches as your business scales.
Look for credible suppliers for your inventory
Finding a reliable supplier can be a really hard task. You don’t want to end up like the electronics shops along Mfangano Street in Nairobi that were raided by the Anti-counterfeit Agency (ACA) sleuths.
These dealers were found in possession of counterfeit Samsung phones which were confiscated and the shop owners were arrested.
To prevent such a fiasco, order your material from credible suppliers such as Alibaba or Amazon. For international shipping, you will have to pay an extra fee for logistics.
If you plan on dealing with local suppliers, do proper research, talk to other electronic shop owners and visit supplier websites that have been verified by government agencies.
Employ a suitable marketing strategy
There are several avenues of marketing you could employ for a successful electronics business. such include;
- Word of mouth – naturally, satisfied customers will link you up with potential clients. You can also encourage them to bring their friends who need the services you offer to your shop.
- Banners and posters – this will require you to invest in printing well-designed posters or banners for your business. For logos and graphic design, contact us here.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – You will achieve this by launching a well-optimized website in Google. The best way to do this is through WordPress WooCommerce or Shopify. This will expand your client base.
Conclusion
Despite being lucrative, the owner of an electronics shop must take time to learn about the business to prevent instances of fraud or selling counterfeit products. Below, is an electronics shop business plan guide. Follow this attachment to access the premium e-book.
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