In the wake of the prevailing economic hardships In Kenya, having an online side hustle has become a necessity. The good news is that with a smartphone and internet connection, you can create your own stream of steady income.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)’s quarterly Sector Statistics report covering September 2024 disclosed that there were a least 37.4 million smartphones (72.6 percent penetration rate), with at least 40.8% of the population having access to the internet.

The report estimated the number of feature phones at 30.7 million, representing a 59.6 percent penetration rate.

In this article, Bizna has compiled a list of 10 online side hustles you can do with your smartphone in Kenya:

1. Become a content creator

The internet has created endless opportunities for one to monetize their creativity. As a content creator, your job will be to record content (mostly videos) and post them on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

All you need is a smartphone with a good camera (to ensure video quality), a ring light to illuminate your face as you record your videos, and a microphone for optimal sound quality.
As a content creator, your revenue streams include pragmatic benefits you qualify to sign up for monetisation programs on the respective platforms you will be using.

With continued growth, you will also qualify for brand endorsements, direct advertising, and sponsorships.
For instance, comedian Mulamwah is on record for disclosing that Kenyan content creators earn an average of Ksh 60 000 for every 1 million views they get on YouTube. The figure is, however, affected by the number of ads vied fully and those skipped.

2. Become a graphic designer

Becoming a graphic designer using platforms like Canva, Photoshop etc is an excellent online side hustle if you have a smartphone and an internet connection.

You can create posters, logos, social media posts, business cards, and other graphic materials for individuals, brands and businesses. To begin, all you need is a basic understanding of design principles, which can be easily learnt through tutorials available on YouTube or other free resources online.

Once you get the hang of it, you can offer your design services to clients. For posters and logos, you can charge between Ksh 250 and Ksh 500 depending on their complexity. How much you charge can also be influenced by other factors like the value of the brand you work for. Generally, bigger brands pay more.

3. Complete Micro jobs

Micro jobs entail completing short and easy tasks, typically within 10–20 minutes. Examples of micro jobs include data entry, answering simple questions, tagging objects in images, and writing short bits of content.

Many of these jobs are run by Artificial Intelligence companies and are used in training AI models. The pay varies depending on the tasks and the platform you work for. However, you need to understand from the outset that you won’t make a lot of money doing micro work, and that you may only earn a few dollars per day at most.

Examples of platforms where you can get micro jobs are: Reviewzerz, Gloot, TaskRabbit, Microworkers, and Click Worker. Other companies post similar jobs on LinkedIn, Upwork, Indeed and other platforms where firms looking for new hires share job vacancies.

4. Sell eBooks

eBooks are electronic books that can be read via computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. They are easy to access and distribute, which makes selling them a lucrative side hustle.

In 2023, a study by the Writers Guild Kenya established that 85% of Nairobi residents read regularly, with Kenyans spending an average of Ksh 1,328 on reading materials monthly. Additionally, 42% of these readers prefer soft-copy materials like eBooks.

You can write ebooks on topics like farming, food recipes, entrepreneurship, relationships, or other topics that interest you. This, however, works well if you have expertise or command authority in that area, cementing your credibility.

Alternatively, you can partner with authors and market their ebooks, then you earn a commission every time someone purchases the ebook.

5. Become a digital news reporter

If you have a nose for trending topics, you can become a digital news reporter for online news platforms and established media houses. And no, you don’t need a notebook and a camera crew. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection.

For instance, Royal-media-owned Citizen runs a program called Wananchi reporting, where you can earn by sharing interesting stories you may have witnessed in your neighbourhood.

The stories can be in pictures, text, or video format. The platform pays Ksh 1000 for each story that is successfully published.
You can contact other publishers and ask if they can sign you up for a contributor role and this can also be a side hustle for you.

6. Become a social media manager

According to the Digital 2024 Report, there are over 13.05 million social media users in Kenya in 2024, which translates to approximately 24% of the country’s population.
To take advantage of this audience, many businesses and brands have embraced social media marketing, creating demand for social media managers.

This could be an ideal side hustle for someone who understands how to create viral posts, analyse trends, and grow an online audience.

In Kenya, social media managers make approximately Ksh 10,000 – Ksh 50,000 depending on the brand they work for. You can apply to manage social media platforms of shops, businesses, institutions, or even individuals.
You will need to draft a comprehensive strategy for the prospective business. The strategy should contain evidence of how your input will translate into more sales or visibility for your client.

7. Become a WhatsApp blogger

At least 56% of Kenyan social media users are on WhatsApp, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
You can leverage this audience to start a blog, grow an audience, and sell your products or services. All you have to do is create a WhatsApp group, invite members to join and start posting.

Justine Nyachieo is one example of an entrepreneur who has leveraged WhatsApp as a business platform. Through his group, dubbed Profitable Business Ideas, he shares insights into the most profitable businesses in Kenya. He has attracted an audience, whom he monetizes by charging them for guidance on how to venture into agribusiness, freelancing, and entrepreneurship.

This is a low-cost, zero-expense venture, with the only requirements being a smartphone, an internet connection, and your expertise.

8. Become a book reviewer

If you love reading books and sharing your opinions about them, becoming a book reviewer might be an ideal side hustle for you.As a book reviewer, your work will be to read books, write your honest feedback about them, and get paid.

This may sound too good to be true, but there are numerous platforms that pay good money to avid bookworms. One such platform is Online Book Club, which pays reviewers.

Other platforms include Reedsy, and Kirkus Media, among others.
All you need to do is sign up on these platforms, accept the terms and conditions, and start earning.

9. Become an online surveyor

Companies are constantly seeking consumer opinions, and online surveys have become an alluring way of making extra cash. To make money through surveys, all you have to do is sign up on survey platforms like Timebucks, Surveoo, or Swagbucks. After signing up, you will be invited for surveys via email.

The surveys take between 10-20 minutes or more, with the pay ranging depending on the platform and complexity of the survey. Becoming a surveyor does not require sophisticated skills. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection, and you’re good to go.

10. Become an affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing entails promoting products on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. You then earn a commission every time someone purchases the product.
E-commerce companies like Jumia, Kilimall, and Jiji, among others, are constantly hiring affiliate marketers, with the only requirements being a smartphone and an internet connection.

To start earning, sign up on the affiliate programs of these platforms and many other, get an affiliate link, and promote their products on social media. You will then earn a commission every time someone makes a purchase via your affiliate link.
Affiliate marketers in Kenya make between Ksh 10,000–Ksh 50,000 per month. This is, however, dependent on how many people use your affiliate link to make a purchase.

Conclusion

Having an online side hustle in Kenya has never been easier, as long as you have a smartphone, an internet connection, and put in the work. All you have to do is pick one of these ideas, work on it, and scale up as you gain experience.

With time, you can invest in a laptop or desktop computer, which will make it easier for you to venture into more complex jobs like freelancing, online coaching and tutoring, and development educational courses, ventures that pay better.

Disclaimer: While this article shares general insights into remote work and income opportunities, success varies based on individual effort, skills, and market conditions. We have not endorsed any brands mentioned here.
We do not guarantee specific results. It is essential that you conduct thorough research, assess risks, and seek professional advice before committing your time or money.