Statically there are over 484 million people employed in Africa, with the majority of them in Eastern Africa. According to several surveys, the majority of these people find it difficult to make ends meet despite receiving salaries by the end of each month. This is all because the salaries do not cover the needed expenses and most of them do not have Side hustles
A side hustle formally known as a side job, is an additional job that a person takes in addition to their primary full-time job . Side hustles are a great way of boosting an income. They do not just let you explore potential business ideas with little upfront costs or major time commitments but also increase your financial security.
It is important to know that it can be challenging to find the best side hustles especially those that can allow you to earn that little bit of extra money that can help you achieve your financial goals faster - whether it's paying off student loans or saving for retirement.
As you think about side hustle ideas that feel right for you, here are some side hustles that you can start right from your own home while attending to your full-time career as well as giving you consistent income.
- Writing
Ever heard of the notion "everyone is a writer"? Yes, it is true. As a writer, you can start an affiliate marketing blog and earn an income, still many companies hire freelance or contract writers to draft marketing materials, social media copy, SEO articles, and more, without expecting their writers to be available full-time.
2. Sell digital products
Digital products are non-physical assets you can sell online repeatedly without having to restock your inventory. We’re talking about things like subscription/membership sites, software, ebooks, stock photos, videos, blueprints, articles, etc. The great thing about selling digital products as a side hustle is there are very few overheads. You only have to write an ebook once, but you can sell it a thousand times without having to pay any further production costs.
3. Tutoring
Tutors can make good money. The amount you make will depend on the type of tutoring job you take and the qualifications you have. Those fluent in English or Italian can land themselves a fortune by teaching while those good in academic subjects can help students study for exams as after-hours tutors to earn some extra income.
4. ride-sharing
If you happen to own a car, then you need to consider this. You can pick up passengers during your free time, whether that's early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends. You can also be an Uber driver whose services are now operating in 15 African countries.
While I have outlined how important side hustles are, it is important to also note how to make them a reliable form of income. A variety of them as listed above can absolutely earn you a fortune only if you are financially literate. Being financially literate could help you assess the right side hustle and equip you with a know-how of the money you earn from it.