Akara is a popular Nigerian snack made from ground black-eyed peas mixed with spices and fried. It is a favorite breakfast food in Nigeria and can also be enjoyed as a snack throughout the day.
How to Start an Akara Business in Nigeria
Starting an akara business in Nigeria can be a lucrative venture, especially if you have a passion for cooking and entrepreneurship. In this article, we will give you a step by step guide on how to start an akara business in Nigeria.
Step 1: Conduct market research
Before starting an akara business, it is essential to conduct market research to understand your target market and competition. You need to find out if there is demand for akara in the area where you intend to operate and identify your potential customers. Some of the key things to consider during your research include the price, packaging, and branding of your competitors’ products.
Step 2: Develop a business plan
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A business plan is essential to starting any business. It will help you determine the resources you need to start and run your business, including the amount of capital you need, the equipment you need, and the staff you need to hire. You should also develop a marketing plan outlining how you intend to promote your business and attract customers.
Step 3: Choose a suitable location
The location of your business is critical to your success. You need to choose a location where your target market is easily accessible and has high foot traffic. It is best to choose a location close to a residential area or an office where people can easily stop by and buy akara.
Step 4: Get the Necessary Equipment
To start an akara business, you’ll need some equipment including a blender, fryer, bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and scales. You’ll also need to get food-grade packaging and labels.
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Step 5: Source of Raw Materials
You need to source quality black eyed peas, spices and oils for your akara business. It is best to buy ingredients in bulk from reliable suppliers to reduce production costs.
Step 6: Hire staff
If you plan to run a large akara business, you may need to hire staff to assist you. You need to hire employees with excellent culinary skills, customer service skills and a passion for the business.
Step 7: Start Production
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Once you have all the necessary equipment, raw materials and staff, you can start producing your akara. You want to make sure your akara is high quality and consistent in taste, texture and size.
Step 8: Pack and label your product
Packaging and branding are critical to creating a strong brand image and attracting customers. You need to create an attractive and recognizable packaging design and feature your product with your company name, logo and contact information.
Step 9: Market and sell your product
Marketing is essential to attracting customers to your akara business. You can use social media, flyers, word of mouth, and promotions to increase awareness and promote your business. You can also sell your products through food delivery platforms like Jumia Food, Uber Eats, and Bolt Food.
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Examples of successful Akara businesses in Nigeria
1. Mama Akara: Mama Akara is a popular akara supplier located in Lagos. The business has been in operation for over a decade and has built a loyal clientele for its consistent quality and excellent customer service.
2. Akara College: Akara Academy is an online school that teaches people how to make akara and other Nigerian snacks. The business has successfully trained thousands of people in Nigeria and beyond.
What are the ingredients in Akara?
The ingredients of akara are:
- Black-eyed peas (also known as cowpeas) – 2 cups
- water – enough to mix black eyed peas
- Scotch bonnet pepper (or any pepper of your choice) – 1 or 2 (depending on your preference)
- Onion – 1 medium sized
- Salt – 1 tsp (or to taste)
- vegetable oil – enough for deep frying
notes: Some people also add spices like crawfish, garlic, ginger, or even herbs like parsley or basil to enhance the flavor of the akara. These are optional ingredients and you can add them to your liking.
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How much money can I make selling Akara?
How much you can make selling akara in Nigeria depends on several factors including the size of your business, the number of customers you have, your pricing strategy and overhead. On average, small akara businesses can earn N20,000 to N50,000 ($50 to $125) per week, while larger businesses can earn up to N500,000 ($1,250) per month.
Your profit margin will depend on your raw material costs, the costs of running your business (rent, staff salaries, utilities), and your pricing strategy. If you can keep your overhead low and price your product competitively, you can make a good profit selling akara. Plus, you can increase your profit margins by offering variety, such as adding other snacks or drinks to your menu.