Welcome to South Africa in 2025, where the entrepreneurial landscape is alive with potential. Matric pass rates are up, Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) is down, and with loadshedding effectively over, the lights are on as local industries are hard at work to cash in on economic opportunity.
Following on the success of our 2024 article , we bring you a 2025 roundup of happening industries and profitable South African businesses to keep tabs on as you look for inspiration with your business hustle.
So, whether you’re a recently graduated matric student or a long-time entrepreneur looking for your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow nation, we’ve got you covered with a wide range of lucrative opportunities and small business ideas to explore.
The 10 Most Profitable Businesses in South Africa 2025
Education Technology (EdTech)
South Africa's education system has long needed innovation, and EdTech businesses are stepping in to fill the gap. With affordable data costs and increasing WiFi coverage countrywide, E-learning platforms, educational apps, and gamified content offer scalable solutions for improving access to quality education. Entrepreneurs can tap into this growing industry by creating tailored products for schools, teachers, and parents.
Edukite is an E-learning success story in the Free State and Northern Cape, where they’ve assisted over 1000 schools, 3000 teachers, and 32000 learners with an audiovisual approach to the CAPS curriculum. This no doubt contributed to the Free State ranking as the top performing province with a 91% pass rate.
For all those graduates looking to join the job market but struggling to find a way in, Zaio overcomes the divide between education and employment in the tech world by connecting students with startups via their accredited coding and web development bootcamps.
Started by Mvelo Hlophe at UCT in 2018 when he was inspired to help his friend find a developer internship, Zaio is on a mission to democratise access to tech education. Surely one of the most successful businesses in South Africa to keep a close eye on!
AI Businesses
When considering the most profitable industries in SA, look no further than our generative AI market which is predicted to reach half a billion dollars in 2025, and keep growing at a staggering 41.71%.
The SAHSN AIR Academy franchise taps into the growing market of AI, robotics, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education with a state-of-the-art curriculum for school learners up to Grade 12.
If you’re figuring out how to make money in South Africa in 2025 and beyond, then a franchise opportunity for as little as R465K with projected sales of over R2 million is a business idea for the future that makes smart sense right now.
Aerobotics brings AI algorithms and improved data analysis to South Africa’s farmers through the use of drone technology. Achieving optimal crop yields has never been easier thanks to the brainchild of UCT students James Paterson and Benji Meltzer. Considering themselves a farming company enabled by technology, this is one of the biggest companies in South Africa that is making a splash in one of the most profitable industries worldwide.
In South Africa, SMEs can leverage AI to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and gain data-driven insights with an affordable partner such as ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. AI is transforming how most businesses operate and is no longer the exclusive domain of large corporations. Businesses are willing to invest in tools that automate tasks, optimize performance, and deliver cost savings.
So if you’re looking for the best business to start in South Africa, consider offering consulting services to help businesses integrate AI into their operations. Alternatively, help create AI-powered chatbots to support customer service or e-commerce platforms or develop AI tools for industries like healthcare, retail, or agriculture.
Green and Sustainable Businesses
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it's a priority . SMEs in South Africa are figuring out how to make money in South Africa by embracing eco-friendly practices through the use of creating sustainable packaging, offering waste management services, and manufacturing biodegradable products.
Lufuno Rasoesoe founded Tosh Detergents , manufacturers of highly concentrated environmentally friendly cleaning detergents that target the mass market. Lufuno learned how to make soap from her mother as a child and then quit her job as a building inspector to pursue her entrepreneurial dream of raising awareness of good hygiene and clean spaces full time. Since 2021 her business has been flying!
Moli and Mela is a 100% black, 100% female run waste management company in the North West province that provides efficient and eco-friendly waste recycling services to households and businesses. Started by Tshegofatso Molefi and her best friend Ofentse Melato, the two trailblazing businesswomen got started with Melato’s father driving waste away from local businesses in his bakkie.
The business now has lucrative waste management contracts at places like Sun City and are on a mission to create jobs that are in demand in South Africa for young black women.
Adventure and Cultural Tourism
Adventure tourism is the next big thing , including everything from immersive township experiences to guided hiking tours and eco lodges. Adventure tourists make up nearly 10% of all tourists to South Africa and generally stay longer and spend more too.
If you’re asking yourself ‘What business can I start with R30000 in South Africa?’ then guide certification , a lease on your own vehicle and gear, and a well-framed offer on Airbnb experiences will get you up and running and out there showing off our beautiful country to the bold and the brave.
And if you like to keep things more ‘in-house’, you can always turn your property into a bespoke Mzansi accommodation location using local booking platforms such as LekkeSlaap .
Home Improvement Services
Still on the homefront, services like landscaping , custom carpentry , and interior design are in high demand and ZA success stories abound. Pairing your business with affordable digital tools for 3D modeling or virtual consultations can set you apart in this new AI-generated world where you can meet prospective clients online and literally help them see what you mean.
Whether it’s tree felling or blind installation, opportunities to buy existing home improvement businesses also exist when considering the most profitable business in South Africa to sink your teeth into.
Pet Services and Products
South Africa’s pet industry is worth a whopping R7 billion and growing yearly. With owners seeking premium food, grooming, and accessories, pet-friendly cafés and daycare services are also emerging as attractive options for entrepreneurs.
Fazielah Allie, Candice Stewart and Shireen Davids bought K9 Pet Foods ten years and have turned it into a true black and female-owner empowerment success story . Maybe the best business to start in South Africa is one that isn’t doing so well at the moment – and it just needs you to turn things around!
Mobile App Development
According to a Global Digital Report , South Africans ranked first for time spent using the internet, and third globally for using smart phones to access the internet. So with mobile traffic now accounting for 82% of all web traffic in South Africa, mobile apps for services like education, e-commerce, and even health monitoring are booming.
If you have the technical skills or are even just willing to learn, mobile app development is one of the most profitable industries, creating plenty of jobs that are in demand in South Africa.
Content Creation Services
Businesses are hungry for high-quality content, whether it be blogs, social media campaigns, or video production. With minimal startup costs, content creation is one of the best businesses to start in South Africa if you’re creative and conscientious. All you need is a laptop and good WiFi and away you go!
Health and Wellness Services
The health and wellness industry continues to grow as more South Africans prioritize self-care . From boutique gyms to wellness retreats, the demand for personalized services is rising. Combine the latest tech and AI with wellness by growing a community focused on mental health support or fitness tracking.
Figuring out how to make money in South Africa often starts with creating a community of like-minded peers. And nowadays that can be as simple as starting a WhatsApp group. There is strength in numbers, as the saying goes, so if you truly believe that you have a small business idea in South Africa that could turn into something big, then don’t be afraid to share your vision with others and map out your dreams!
Franchise Opportunities
If starting from scratch feels overwhelming, investing in a franchise could be the answer. South Africa’s proud franchise history goes all the way back to when Wimpy opened its doors in Durban in 1967 and 1000 people showed up on the opening day. Are you ready to help write the next chapter?
Feel free to read through our franchise guides to inform yourself and see whether franchising is the right fit for you.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Buying a business in South Africa requires research, creativity, and a little courage. Whether you’re taking people abseiling off the face of Table Mountain, showing a company that got left behind in the digital revolution how to improve their online presence, or providing environmentally friendly cleaning products or waste management services, the opportunities out there should give you cause for hope and self-belief.
So to all those aspiring entrepreneurs out there – especially the recent academic graduates that are getting to grips with how to make money in South Africa – we wish you all the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable industry in South Africa?
Financial services, especially FinTech, lead South Africa’s profitability with innovative solutions like digital payments and blockchain. Renewable energy is also thriving, fueled by the energy crisis and demand for sustainable solutions.
What makes the most money in South Africa?
Mining, particularly gold, platinum, and diamonds, remains a major money-maker, alongside agriculture and tourism. Tech-based industries like AI and e-commerce are also rapidly gaining profitability.
What is the richest business in South Africa?
Naspers, Shoprite, and Sasol rank as the richest businesses, with global reach and market dominance. Their expansive operations make them leaders in revenue and profitability.
What small business has the highest profit margin?
Service-based businesses like mobile app development and content creation often achieve the highest margins due to low overheads. Dropshipping and specialized tourism experiences also offer strong profitability with minimal investment.