Are you interested in learning how to start a snacks business in Nigeria? Read the article.
Starting a snacks business in Nigeria is not as difficult as you think it is and one of the fast moving small scale businesses in Nigeria. Getting your business registered, acquiring the right equipment, and settling on a good location are some of the simple things that you have to put into consideration before starting up.
In this article, we discuss how to start a snacks business in Nigeria.
7 Steps to Start Snacks Business in Nigeria
We cover the steps to starting a small business from scratch and look at some challenges and opportunities in this market. I listed the steps below:
Step 1- Market research
Do your homework and conduct research. Figure out what your target market wants, whether it is health-conscious snacks or junk food. Because creating anything harmful to the community, the NAFDAC will come for you.
So starting, you need to get a clear picture of your target market. Are they looking for snacks that are healthy? Or are they looking for junk food? Do they like soft snacks or crunchy ones? It is based on the outcome of your research that you decide if you would venture into:
- Popcorn
- Cakes
- Buns
- Plantain chips
- Akara
- Egg roll
- Meat pie
- Fish roll
- Sausage roll
- Chin chin
- Doughnuts
- Fried yam, e.t.c.
Then once you have this information, you can proceed with getting the basic training.
Step 2- Go for the Basic Training
Starting your own snack business in Nigeria is not an easy task. It requires you to know what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. For instance, if you decide that you want to start a popcorn business then production of the product should be first before distribution. So to produce these products, you need the basic skills and knowledge on how to make the snacks. This can be achieved by learning online via YouTube or Google or offline.
Step 3- Register your Business
It is prudent and legal to register your business in Nigeria so as to fulfill all statutory rights. Business registration doesn’t take time. Just apply online or visit their office to get started.
The first thing you need to do, if you want to start your own snacks business, is to register as an entrepreneur and get a license from the Nigerian Customs Service. Having a registered snacks business will save you a lot in the future. It can also give you opportunities for expansion and growth.
Step 4- Get your Capital Ready
Starting a snacks business in Nigeria is easy and straightforward but requires capital. You need to buy ingredients and equipment to start the business.
You can source for your Capital or use some money from your saving because in due when the business begins to grow, you will recover the fund back
Step 5- Buy the equipment and ingredients needed to start
Starting a business can be challenging, especially if you want to start small. Snacks like biscuits and chips are relatively easy to produce and sell and will attract customers quickly. But you need ingredients to do all these things.
You also need equipment for making the snacks. These ingredients and equipment are essential to the snacks business.
Ingredients needed are:
- Milk
- Groundnut Oil
- Water
- Salt
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Margarine
- Flavour and so on
Equipment needed are:
- Tray
- Spoon
- Bows
- Frying pan
- Oven
- Table
- Packing material
- Chopping board
- Gas
- Show glass
- Rolling Pin
Step 6- Choose your business Location
When starting a business, it is important to understand where you are going to sell to get your money. The purchase price of most stores is only a small part of the total cost. There are many other places you can put your showcase for passersby to buy. Before you choose a particular location, you should make sure you understand how the location is, the status of people living there or whether it is close to the market, so that they don’t surprise you later on.
Setting up your business where you will prepare the snacks and sell them after they are ready for consumption is also very essential.
Step 7- Put in more effort and apply creativity
Nigerian snackers are great consumers. They love to eat, and they don’t think too hard about what they put in their mouths. That is why they like whatever they can grab on the go like salty snacks, ice cream, cookies, chocolate bars, and potato crisps. Therefore, put in the work and effort. Be creative about it. Know the tips and ideas needed to scale in the business.
However, there is no doubt that Nigerian consumers buy much more than just savoury foods. And even though these buyers may prefer savoury snacks you shouldn’t underestimate their craving for sweet stuff like chocolate wraps and candies. You can sell these along with the snacks.
Step 8- Create your own brand Identity
In the snack industry, creating your brand identity is extremely important. You can even create your own brand of snacks by targeting specific markets, such as students or workers in an office block. Once you know what kind of snack or food they want, then you can start crafting your company’s message and identity around these needs.
But it is also important that you know who you are trying to reach with your company so that you can make them happy with your new brand.
Tips to make your snacks Business Successful
Starting a snack business in Nigeria is not easy. It requires a lot of planning and hard work, but it is feasible to achieve your goal. To start you need to also get a clear picture of the tips and ideas needed to scale in business. These ideas includes:
- Make sure your products are of good quality and healthy for the people who consume
- Make your snacks in a clean environment
- Package your products attractively
- Be intentional and consistent in what you do
- Apply all the skills you have learned
- Learn new skills and read new snacks recipes to keep your customer coming
- Keep a proper record of your sales
- Buy the things you need for the business to avoid substitutes which might sometimes be a disadvantage to the business
- Market your products both online and offline.
Conclusion
Starting a snack business in Nigeria is difficult but also easy if you are strategic about it. It requires a lot of planning, hard work, and consistency, but it is workable to achieve your goal.
Moreover, it can be challenging when learn how to start a snacks business in Nigeria, but it is workable with the right planning. The key to success is understanding your market and customers. What are their needs? What type of snacks do they prefer? You should aim to have a clear brand identity based on this data. I wish you luck as you try this business out. Leave a reply in the comment and let me know what you think.
