Logistics, import, export and trade
Moving goods between farms, factories, towns and countries creates many earning opportunities. Kenya is a regional trade hub (Mombasa port, cross-border trade with Uganda, Tanzania and beyond). Digital tools (WhatsApp, tracking, online marketplaces) make these businesses easier to start and manage.
What these methods share
- Licences and compliance: customs, KRA, standards (KEBS), and sector-specific permits.
- Trust and verification: trade fraud is common; verify suppliers and buyers.
- Cash flow: goods tie up money; plan carefully.
510. Clearing and forwarding agent (licensed)
What it is: Handling customs clearance and shipping logistics for importers and exporters. How it works: Licensed agents process documents and coordinate shipments.
| Skills | Customs procedures, documentation |
| Cost & equipment | Licences, office |
| Where to find work | Importers, exporters |
| Payment | Fees |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Train in customs procedures; work in a licensed firm first. Pros: Essential service. Cons & risks: Regulatory responsibility. Scam warning: Fake agents who disappear with duty payments. Kenya notes: KRA licenses customs agents.
511. Small-scale importing (e.g. from China, Dubai, Turkey)
What it is: Importing goods for resale. How it works: Supplier sourcing → shipping/consolidation → clearing → sales.
| Skills | Sourcing, negotiation, market research |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, shipping agents |
| Where to find work | Your sales channels |
| Payment | Sales margins |
| Realistic earnings | Low to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with small consolidated shipments; verify suppliers. Pros: Unique products and margins. Cons & risks: Delays; duties; quality. Scam warning: Fake suppliers and fake shipping agents. Kenya notes: Imports must meet KEBS standards and customs rules.
512. Exporting Kenyan products
What it is: Exporting products like tea, coffee, crafts, avocados, flowers or textiles. How it works: Sourcing → compliance → buyers → shipping.
| Skills | Export procedures, buyer networks |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, certifications |
| Where to find work | International buyers, trade fairs, online B2B platforms |
| Payment | Export contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Study export requirements; join export promotion programmes. Pros: Large markets. Cons & risks: Compliance and payment risks. Scam warning: Fake buyers who ask for samples and "fees". Kenya notes: Export promotion agencies support new exporters.
513. Cross-border trading (East African Community)
What it is: Trading goods across borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and others. How it works: Buying and selling across markets.
| Skills | Market knowledge, documentation |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, transport |
| Where to find work | Regional markets |
| Payment | Sales margins |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Learn EAC simplified trade regimes for small traders. Pros: Regional demand. Cons & risks: Border procedures. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Simplified trade regimes exist for small cross-border traders.
514. Wholesale distribution
What it is: Buying from manufacturers and distributing to retailers. How it works: Distribution agreements, delivery routes.
| Skills | Logistics, credit management |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, transport, storage |
| Where to find work | Shops, dukas |
| Payment | Margins |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start with fast-moving goods in one area. Pros: Volume sales. Cons & risks: Credit risk from retailers. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Digital ordering apps for dukas are changing distribution.
515. Warehousing and storage services
What it is: Providing storage space for businesses. How it works: Rental agreements, inventory management.
| Skills | Inventory management |
| Cost & equipment | Warehouse space |
| Where to find work | E-commerce sellers, distributors |
| Payment | Storage fees |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with small storage units. Pros: Recurring income. Cons & risks: Security. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: E-commerce growth increases demand.
516. Last-mile delivery business (fleet)
What it is: Running a fleet of riders delivering for businesses. How it works: Contracts with shops and platforms.
| Skills | Fleet management |
| Cost & equipment | Motorbikes, riders, insurance |
| Where to find work | E-commerce, restaurants, pharmacies |
| Payment | Per delivery or contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start with 2–3 riders and reliable clients. Pros: Growing demand. Cons & risks: Accidents; rider management. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Insurance and rider safety are essential.
517. Truck and lorry transport business
What it is: Transporting goods by truck. How it works: Contracts with traders, farmers, manufacturers.
| Skills | Logistics management |
| Cost & equipment | Trucks (high capital), licences |
| Where to find work | Businesses, logistics platforms |
| Payment | Per trip |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start with one truck and steady contracts. Pros: High demand. Cons & risks: Maintenance and fuel costs. Scam warning: Fake cargo offers used to steal trucks or goods. Kenya notes: Digital freight platforms connect trucks with loads.
518. Cold chain logistics
What it is: Transporting and storing perishable goods (milk, flowers, fish, vaccines). How it works: Refrigerated trucks and storage.
| Skills | Cold chain management |
| Cost & equipment | Refrigerated equipment |
| Where to find work | Farmers, exporters, health sector |
| Payment | Contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Partner with producers needing cold storage. Pros: Essential niche. Cons & risks: High capital. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Horticulture exports depend on cold chains.
519. Procurement agent for diaspora and businesses
What it is: Buying and shipping goods for people abroad or businesses that need sourcing help. How it works: Orders → sourcing → quality checks → shipping.
| Skills | Sourcing, honesty |
| Cost & equipment | Phone, transport |
| Where to find work | Diaspora, businesses |
| Payment | Service fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Offer transparent receipts and photos. Pros: Trust-based clients. Cons & risks: Shipping issues. Scam warning: Always provide receipts; never mix client funds. Kenya notes: Diaspora often need trusted purchasing agents.
520. Courier and parcel agency outlet
What it is: Operating a parcel drop-off and pick-up point for courier companies. How it works: Agency agreements; commissions per parcel.
| Skills | Organisation, record keeping |
| Cost & equipment | Shop space |
| Where to find work | Courier companies |
| Payment | Commissions |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Apply to courier agency programmes. Pros: Adds foot traffic to a shop. Cons & risks: Liability for parcels. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Combine with cyber or retail shops.
521. Packaging supply business
What it is: Supplying packaging (boxes, bags, containers, labels) to small businesses. How it works: Wholesale buying → reselling to SMEs.
| Skills | Sourcing, sales |
| Cost & equipment | Stock |
| Where to find work | Food businesses, online sellers |
| Payment | Sales |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Target online sellers and food vendors. Pros: Recurring orders. Cons & risks: Storage. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Follow plastic bag bans; offer compliant alternatives.
522. Inventory and logistics software for SMEs (reselling and setup)
What it is: Setting up inventory and delivery tracking tools for businesses. How it works: Resell or configure software; training.
| Skills | Software setup, business processes |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop |
| Where to find work | Distributors, shops |
| Payment | Setup and subscriptions |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with software vendors (POS and inventory systems). Pros: Recurring. Cons & risks: Support needs. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: eTIMS-compliant systems are in demand.
523. Trade fair and B2B sourcing facilitation
What it is: Helping businesses attend trade fairs and source suppliers. How it works: Research, travel coordination, supplier vetting.
| Skills | Research, networking |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop |
| Where to find work | SMEs |
| Payment | Fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Build supplier verification checklists. Pros: Valued by importers. Cons & risks: Travel costs. Scam warning: Fake trade fair invitations. Kenya notes: Verify events through official organisers.
524. Commodity trading (grain, produce) with warehouse receipts
What it is: Buying and selling agricultural commodities, sometimes using warehouse receipt systems. How it works: Purchase → storage → sale when prices are favourable.
| Skills | Market analysis, quality checks |
| Cost & equipment | Capital, storage |
| Where to find work | Farmers, buyers, commodity platforms |
| Payment | Margins |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Learn quality standards and storage. Pros: Seasonal opportunities. Cons & risks: Price risk; spoilage. Scam warning: Fake buyers; insist on proper payment terms. Kenya notes: Warehouse receipt systems exist for some commodities.
525. Logistics consulting for SMEs
What it is: Advising businesses on delivery, routes, warehousing and costs. How it works: Assessment → recommendations.
| Skills | Supply chain expertise |
| Cost & equipment | Laptop |
| Where to find work | SMEs, manufacturers |
| Payment | Projects |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Gain logistics experience; document savings achieved. Pros: Clear value. Cons & risks: Needs track record. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Many SMEs struggle with delivery costs.
Summary
- Logistics and trade methods include clearing agents, importing, exporting, cross-border trade, wholesale, warehousing, delivery fleets, trucking, cold chains, procurement agents, courier outlets, packaging supply, logistics software, trade facilitation, commodity trading and consulting.
- Verify suppliers and buyers, follow customs and standards rules, and manage cash flow carefully.
Check yourself
Which authority licenses customs agents in Kenya? (abbreviation)
Show answer
KRA
Which body sets standards that imported goods must meet? (abbreviation)
Show answer
KEBS
What do we call transport and storage that keeps perishables cold? (two words)
Show answer
cold chain