Key opportunities that will earn you good cash

Nairobi; Kenya: Everyone is looking for investment opportunities with the best returns.  From research, there are many options, depending on your pocket and interest. They include:

Transport sector: Provision of transport services, given stringent Government rules, has been opened up to more opportunities. Most buses make returns of between Sh10, 000 and Sh20, 000 per day while most matatus make a profit of between Sh1, 500 to Sh5, and 000 per day. Lorries can also earn you big if you get more business. Motor bikes also provide good returns with some making a profit of Sh500 to Sh2, 000 a day.

Brick making: With huge demand for houses and offices countrywide arising from devolution, this has become a lucrative venture. A brick now goes for between Sh5 to Sh10 - meaning that making about 100,000 bricks could earn one between Sh500, 000 and Sh1 million.

Financial agency services: With most banking done through agents and mobile phones, especially M-Pesa and Airtel Money, these have become lucrative ventures, especially within in major towns. Mobile money services transacted more than Sh1.7 trillion last year.

ICT: Investing in ICT will be key as majority of businesses look for convergence in delivering their services that include high paying Internet service spurred by increased use of smartphones. Provision of Internet cafe’s with secretarial services remain profitable owing to increased number of colleges in Nairobi and other major towns.

Stock Market:  The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and the Government Securities offer the best investments. For example, BAT shares which were trading at Sh300 early this year had risen to Sh1, 000 per share by Friday last week. If you had 10,000 shares, you would be three and half times richer.

Agriculture:  With food insecurity on the increase, greenhousing will be key to plug the shortfall and accrue better returns if handled well. Several financial institutions likes Chase Bank and Amiran Kenya have partnered to assist young farmers purchase green houses.

Real Estate: Devolution has opened up opportunities in real estate management. This is a lucrative idea that SMEs can invest in to ease accommodation.

Car washing: Specialised car washing is a business that is in demand. The available car washing points are not keen on specific needs for various models and brands of cars and this would be perfect for SMEs and youth groups.

Cleaning Services: Commercial and residential cleaning. This is huge, especially with a deficit of cleaning firms at the county level. The boom in real estate means that there are plenty of opportunities for cleaning services, dusting and extermination in buildings.

Garbage collection and recycling: Well organised and specialised garbage collection is lacking and those with a keen eye will see the opportunity.