Top 35 Profitable Business Ideas for Developing Countries in 2025
Developing countries are not just facing challenges; they are brimming with untapped opportunities. These markets are ideal for intelligent entrepreneurs because of growing populations, increasing mobile penetration, and rising local demand.
Starting a business here is unique and promising for several reasons:
- High Demand for Basic Goods & Services: Many essential needs are underserved.
- Favorable Labor Costs: Lower startup and operational costs make ventures easier to launch.
- Growing Digital Adoption: Mobile technology is leapfrogging traditional infrastructure.
- Opportunity for Massive Impact: Businesses can solve real problems and create jobs.
If you’ve been thinking about launching a venture abroad, the following business ideas for developing countries can guide you in the right direction.
Key Principles for Choosing a Business in a Developing Country
Before diving into the ideas, it’s important to choose wisely. The most successful entrepreneurs in developing markets follow a few key principles:
- Need-Based, Not Want-Based: Focus on solving essential problems—food, water, energy, health, or education.
- Locally Relevant: Adapt your idea to local culture and practices.
- Scalable and Simple: Start small with a model that’s easy to grow.
- Low-Capital Intensive: Pick ventures that don’t need massive foreign investment.
- Leverage Technology: Use mobile phones, apps, or digital tools to improve efficiency.
This mindset can save you time, money, and frustration.
Best Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Starting a business in a developing country can feel challenging at first, but it’s also one of the most rewarding paths an entrepreneur can take. These markets are full of gaps—basic goods and services are in high demand, digital adoption is rising quickly, and labor costs are comparatively low. This means you don’t always need a huge investment to get started.
The key to success is to choose ventures that solve real problems, fit local culture, and are simple enough to scale. Whether you’re interested in farming, retail, technology, education, renewable energy, transport, or manufacturing, there’s room to grow.
Below, we’ve grouped some of the best business ideas for developing countries into clear categories so you can quickly find an area that matches your interests and resources.
Agriculture & Food Security Business Ideas in Developing Countries
Agriculture is still the backbone of most developing economies. Farmers face challenges like poor access to information, erratic rainfall, and post-harvest losses—but these are also opportunities for entrepreneurs. The following business ideas for developing countries focus on improving food production, reducing waste, and boosting incomes for smallholder farmers.
1. Mobile-Based Agri-Advisory Services
Send farmers weather alerts, pest warnings, and daily market prices through SMS or an app. This helps them make better decisions and earn more from their crops. You can partner with local cooperatives or NGOs to sign up users and charge a small subscription fee or earn from advertising.
2. Solar-Powered Irrigation Services
Many small farmers depend on unpredictable rain. Renting or selling solar-powered irrigation pumps can help them irrigate crops year-round. You can operate on a pay-per-use model, making it affordable for even low-income farmers.
3. Food Processing & Preservation Units
Fruits and vegetables often spoil before reaching the market. Setting up a small unit to make jams, dried fruits, chips, or juices turns surplus produce into higher-value products. This reduces waste and creates local jobs.
4. Poultry & Rabbit Farming
These are low-space, high-protein farming options with fast turnover. With proper training and biosecurity, you can supply local restaurants, street vendors, and households at affordable prices.
5. Snail Farming (Heliciculture)
Snails are in demand for export, especially in Europe and Asia. They require little space and low investment to start. With proper hygiene and a small breeding area, you can build a steady export-oriented business.
Essential Retail & Service Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Basic goods and everyday services are often scarce or expensive in developing countries. Entrepreneurs who step in to provide reliable, affordable solutions can build sustainable service and retail businesses and strong community trust. The following ideas show how small ventures can meet critical needs and improve daily life.
6. Clean Water Delivery Service
In many developing areas, tap water isn’t safe. Delivering clean, filtered water in bottles or jerricans fills a crucial health gap. You can source water from certified plants and set up neighborhood delivery routes.
7. Mobile Phone Charging Stations
Electricity can be unreliable in rural areas. Setting up solar-powered phone charging kiosks at markets, bus stops, or community centers provides a vital service. You can charge per phone or sell prepaid vouchers.
8. Affordable Sanitary Products Manufacturing
Access to sanitary pads remains limited in many communities. By manufacturing low-cost sanitary products locally, you solve a major health issue and create jobs for women. Small-scale machines make it easy to start.
9. Neighborhood Pharmacy/Kiosk
Selling basic medicines, toiletries, and everyday essentials in small quantities meets local needs and reduces travel time for residents. You can start small with a licensed pharmacist or partner with existing drug distributors.
10. Community Laundry Service
Urban areas in developing countries often lack affordable laundry facilities. A simple setup with washing machines and dryers can serve busy workers and students. You can price per kilo of laundry or offer subscription plans.
IT & Technology Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Mobile phones and the internet are spreading faster in developing countries than traditional infrastructure. People are using apps for payments, education, and even healthcare. These technology-driven business ideas for developing countries let you serve large groups at low cost.
11. Mobile Money Agent
Act as an agent for mobile payment services like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or Paytm. You help people deposit, withdraw, and transfer money securely without a bank account. Commissions on each transaction give you a steady income.
12. Community Internet Café/Coworking Space
Provide computer access, printing, and affordable internet in one location. Add a small café to attract students and freelancers who need a quiet place to work. You can charge by the hour, day, or month.
13. Freelancing Hub
Train local writers, designers, and virtual assistants in digital skills, then connect them with global clients. Take a small commission or earn from training fees. This builds local talent and creates export income without shipping goods.
14. E-Waste Recycling and Refurbishing
Collect old phones, laptops, and batteries from homes, shops, and schools. Safely recycle materials or refurbish items for resale. You protect the environment and make money from valuable components.
15. Telemedicine Kiosk
Set up a small booth with a tablet or laptop where patients can consult doctors remotely. Charge a small fee per consultation and partner with certified healthcare providers. This is especially helpful in rural areas with few clinics.
Education & Training Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Education gaps create both social challenges and business opportunities. Parents want better futures for their children, and adults need practical skills to earn a living. These education-related ventures combine impact with profit.
16. After-School Tutoring Center
Focus on high-demand subjects like English, Math, and Science. Offer small group sessions at affordable rates, making it accessible to working families. Partner with local schools to reach students.
17. Vocational Skills Training
Teach practical skills such as tailoring, welding, hairdressing, smartphone repair, or even coding. Charge modest tuition or get funding from NGOs. Graduates can quickly start earning from their new skills.
18. Adult Literacy Program
Use accelerated teaching methods and mobile apps to teach adults how to read and write. Offer flexible evening classes and small group settings. You can collaborate with community centers or local employers.
19. Online Learning Platform
Create an online course hub in the local language for topics like entrepreneurship, agriculture, or health. Monetize through subscriptions or certifications. This works well as internet access expands.
20. Early Childhood Education Center
Open an affordable preschool or daycare with a focus on play-based learning. Parents can work while children get quality care. This creates a steady income and supports family well-being.
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Electricity shortages and environmental concerns make clean energy a high-potential field. Households and small businesses need affordable, reliable solutions. These energy business ideas help communities save money and the planet.
21. Solar Lamp & Home System Sales
Sell or rent solar lamps, panels, and small home systems to off-grid families. Offer payment plans or pay-as-you-go options to make them affordable. This cuts kerosene costs and improves the quality of life.
22. Biofuel Production
Convert organic waste, crop residues, or used cooking oil into clean cooking fuel. Sell to households or small eateries as a cheaper alternative to charcoal or LPG. It reduces deforestation and creates jobs.
23. Reusable Packaging Solutions
Make or distribute cloth bags, refillable containers, or recycled cartons to replace single-use plastics. Target local shops, markets, and food vendors. You can brand them for extra income.
24. Solar-Powered Cold Storage
Build small cold rooms powered by solar energy for farmers and fishermen. Charge a daily fee for storage to reduce spoilage. This helps producers earn more and stabilize supply.
25. Waste-to-Compost Service
Collect organic waste from households or markets and turn it into compost for sale to farmers. You earn from both collection fees and compost sales. It’s a simple, scalable green business.
Transportation & Logistics Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Growing populations and booming trade mean more demand for moving people and goods. Infrastructure can be weak, but small, flexible transport services thrive. These transport business ideas fill crucial gaps.
26. Last-Mile Delivery Service
Use motorcycles or bicycles to deliver packages for local businesses and e-commerce shops. Charge per delivery or offer subscription packages. Quick, reliable service wins repeat customers.
27. Bicycle & Motorcycle Taxi Service
Provide affordable transport in crowded cities where buses are slow. Register drivers, supply helmets, and use a simple booking app or phone hotline. You earn a commission per ride.
28. Cargo Transport Brokerage
Create a platform or phone-based service connecting goods owners with truck and van owners. Take a small fee per match. This reduces empty trips and speeds up deliveries.
29. School Transport Service
Operate safe, reliable minivans or buses to take children to and from school. Parents pay monthly fees and appreciate the convenience. You can expand to multiple routes over time.
30. Spare Parts and Repair Shop
Set up a small shop for motorcycle and bicycle spare parts plus repairs. High usage in developing countries means constant demand. Offer quick service and fair prices.
Manufacturing & Recycling Business Ideas for Developing Countries
Local manufacturing reduces import costs and creates jobs. Recycling turns waste into valuable products. Both are growing needs in developing countries.
31. Recycled Product Manufacturing
Use discarded paper, plastic, or glass to make items like notebooks, tiles, or bottles. Sell to wholesalers or directly at markets. This helps clean the environment while earning income.
32. Soap & Detergent Production
Manufacture affordable soaps, detergents, or cleaning products using simple equipment. Start small and supply local shops or institutions. It’s a steady-demand market with low startup costs.
33. Low-Cost Building Materials
Produce interlocking bricks, recycled plastic lumber, or compressed earth blocks for affordable housing. Partner with local builders or NGOs. Housing shortages keep demand high.
34. Small Garment Workshop
Set up a mini-factory for school uniforms, workwear, or low-cost fashion. Train local tailors and supply retailers or institutions. This creates employment, especially for women.
35. Paper Bag and Packaging Production
With growing bans on plastics, paper bags, and eco-friendly packaging are in demand. Install a small machine and supply shops, bakeries, and supermarkets. It’s a simple business that scales.
Read: Best Low-Cost Business Ideas
How to Get Started
Starting a small business in a developing country doesn’t always require a huge amount of money — but it does need planning and consistency. Begin by looking around your own community and identifying problems people talk about every day. Then choose a simple idea that solves one of those problems and matches your skills or interests.
Do a quick market check. Talk to potential customers, ask what they are currently paying, and find out what’s missing in the existing options. Start small, test your product or service, and adjust your approach based on feedback.
Keep your costs light at first. Use low-cost materials, rent instead of buy where possible, and focus on activities that bring in cash quickly. Build relationships with suppliers, local authorities, and community leaders early on. As your business grows, you can invest in better equipment, hire staff, and improve branding.
Mobile money, social media, and online marketplaces are powerful tools even in rural areas. Use them for marketing, receiving payments, and reaching customers beyond your neighbourhood.
Challenges You May Face in Starting a Business in a Developing Country
Even the best idea will have hurdles. The most common challenges in developing countries include:
- Limited Access to Finance: Banks can be strict, and loans may have high interest rates. Many entrepreneurs start with savings, family contributions, or small community loans.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Poor roads, unreliable electricity, or a lack of storage can slow your operations. Planning for backups (like solar power or local transport partners) helps reduce the impact.
- Regulations and Licensing: Some activities need permits or health inspections. Always check the local rules early so you’re not surprised later. Before you register your business, consider checking out the World Bank’s Doing Business Reports to understand the regulatory environment and ease of doing business in your country.”
- Competition and Copycats: Once an idea works, others may copy it quickly. Focus on building trust, quality, and customer service so people stick with you.
- Skills and Staff Training: It can be hard to find or retain skilled workers. Invest a little time in training and clear communication to build a loyal team.
By knowing these challenges ahead of time and planning for them, you can reduce risks and build a business that not only earns money but also improves lives in your community.
Success Stories & Case Studies
Nothing inspires confidence more than real examples. Across developing countries, thousands of small entrepreneurs have turned simple ideas into thriving businesses. These stories show that you don’t need a big budget or advanced technology to succeed — just focus, persistence, and solving a real problem.
A. Kenya – Mobile-Based Agri Services:
A small start-up began sending SMS weather alerts and market prices to rural farmers. Within three years, it grew into a platform with thousands of paying subscribers, attracting partnerships with NGOs and telecom companies.
B. Nigeria – Clean Water Delivery:
Two friends in Lagos started a bicycle-based delivery of filtered drinking water to households. By reinvesting their profits, they expanded to a small fleet of tricycles and now serve entire neighborhoods daily.
C. Bangladesh – Affordable Sanitary Pads:
A women-led cooperative in Bangladesh began making low-cost sanitary pads using locally sourced materials. Today, they supply schools and clinics, improving health outcomes while creating stable jobs for local women.
D. Uganda – Solar Phone Charging:
A youth group in a village with unreliable electricity launched a solar-powered charging kiosk. They now run multiple kiosks, sell solar lamps, and train others to do the same.
E. Philippines – Small-Scale Food Processing:
A family that used to lose half their mango harvest started a home-based drying and packaging business. Their dried mangoes are now sold in city supermarkets and online.
These examples prove that with the right approach, even small ventures can grow and make a big social impact. They also show how listening to your community and starting small can open doors to partnerships, funding, and expansion later on. You can explore programs like the UNDP Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiatives, which support small business owners and social enterprises in developing regions.
Conclusion: Building a Business that Profits and Empowers
The best business ideas for developing countries are those that generate income while uplifting the community. Developing countries are full of untapped potential. By choosing a venture that solves a real local problem, you not only build a source of income for yourself but also uplift your community. Whether it’s improving access to clean water, creating jobs in farming, or teaching new skills, every business idea on this list has the power to make a difference.
Entrepreneurship is more than earning a living — it’s an engine for development. When you start small, stay close to your customers, and adapt quickly, your impact multiplies. With persistence and the right approach, you can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
The best time to start is now. Take one idea, validate it, and begin your journey. Your business could be the next success story that inspires others in your region and beyond.
FAQs: Business Ideas for Developing Countries
What types of businesses work best in developing countries?
Businesses that solve basic needs like food, clean water, energy, health, education, and affordable services often work best. These sectors have high demand and low competition in many areas.
Do I need a lot of money to start a business in a developing country?
Not always. Many successful businesses start small with personal savings, microloans, or community funding. Low-cost models, such as pay-as-you-go or small pilots, help reduce risk.
How can I find the right business idea for my area?
Spend time talking to people in your community. Look for problems they face daily, and think of simple, practical ways to solve them. A business built around a local need is more likely to succeed.
What are some quick-win ideas for first-time entrepreneurs?
Small ventures like mobile phone charging stations, water delivery, small-scale food processing, or after-school tutoring are easier to start and can grow steadily over time.
How do I fund my business if banks won’t lend to me?
Explore microfinance institutions, local cooperatives, government grants, social-impact investors, and crowdfunding platforms. Many developing markets have incubators and NGOs supporting small entrepreneurs.
Are technology-based businesses viable in rural areas?
Yes. Mobile phones are widespread even in rural areas. Services like mobile money, SMS-based farming tips, or solar-powered charging can thrive in places without strong infrastructure.
How do I handle bureaucracy and permits?
Start by learning the basic registration requirements from local government offices or online portals. Seek advice from experienced local business owners or legal professionals. Factor in extra time for paperwork.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
