Pick your capex band.
60 ventures — from a US$500 WhatsApp tutoring desk to a US$250m lithium chemicals plant — sortable by margin, payback and risk. Use the scale toggle to filter to the bracket that matches your cheque.
Capex and margin estimates are operator planning starting points — not investment advice.
| Capex | Margin | Payback | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
01Backyard layer / broiler unit | $4–15k | 18–30% | 9–18 mo | Medium |
02Coffee cart (office area) | $4–9k | 35–55% | 9–15 mo | Low |
03Diaspora content TikTok/YouTube house | $3–10k | 30–50% | 12–24 mo | Medium |
04Diaspora grocery delivery | $3–10k | 18–28% | 6–10 mo | Medium |
05Diaspora school-fee portal | $2–8k | 25–40% | 10–18 mo | Medium |
06E-bike rental + swap | $5–20k | 30–45% | 18–24 mo | Medium |
07Microfinance loan origination affiliate | $1–4k | 15–25% | 6–10 mo | Medium |
08Mobile car valuation + insurance quotes | $2–6k | 22–35% | 8–12 mo | Low |
09Mobile money agency + bill payment kiosk | $2–5k | 25–40% | 6–12 mo | Low |
10Oyster mushroom growing | $3–8k | 35–55% | 8–12 mo | Low |
11Roadside car wash & detailing | $2–6k | 30–45% | 8–14 mo | Low |
12Shopify drop-ship Zim crafts to UK/US | $1–5k | 25–40% | 6–12 mo | Low |
13Solar phone-charging + WiFi hotspot at marketplace | $1–4k | 30–50% | 9–14 mo | Low |
14Vic Falls tour guide + photography | $3–10k | 35–55% | 6–14 mo | Low |
15WhatsApp ZIMSEC tutoring | $0.5–3k | 50–70% | 3–6 mo | Low |
- Backyard layer / broiler unitMedium
- Capex
- $4–15k
- Margin
- 18–30%
- Payback
- 9–18 mo
- Coffee cart (office area)Low
- Capex
- $4–9k
- Margin
- 35–55%
- Payback
- 9–15 mo
- Diaspora content TikTok/YouTube houseMedium
- Capex
- $3–10k
- Margin
- 30–50%
- Payback
- 12–24 mo
- Diaspora grocery deliveryMedium
- Capex
- $3–10k
- Margin
- 18–28%
- Payback
- 6–10 mo
- Diaspora school-fee portalMedium
- Capex
- $2–8k
- Margin
- 25–40%
- Payback
- 10–18 mo
- E-bike rental + swapMedium
- Capex
- $5–20k
- Margin
- 30–45%
- Payback
- 18–24 mo
- Microfinance loan origination affiliateMedium
- Capex
- $1–4k
- Margin
- 15–25%
- Payback
- 6–10 mo
- Mobile car valuation + insurance quotesLow
- Capex
- $2–6k
- Margin
- 22–35%
- Payback
- 8–12 mo
- Mobile money agency + bill payment kioskLow
- Capex
- $2–5k
- Margin
- 25–40%
- Payback
- 6–12 mo
- Oyster mushroom growingLow
- Capex
- $3–8k
- Margin
- 35–55%
- Payback
- 8–12 mo
- Roadside car wash & detailingLow
- Capex
- $2–6k
- Margin
- 30–45%
- Payback
- 8–14 mo
- Shopify drop-ship Zim crafts to UK/USLow
- Capex
- $1–5k
- Margin
- 25–40%
- Payback
- 6–12 mo
- Solar phone-charging + WiFi hotspot at marketplaceLow
- Capex
- $1–4k
- Margin
- 30–50%
- Payback
- 9–14 mo
- Vic Falls tour guide + photographyLow
- Capex
- $3–10k
- Margin
- 35–55%
- Payback
- 6–14 mo
- WhatsApp ZIMSEC tutoringLow
- Capex
- $0.5–3k
- Margin
- 50–70%
- Payback
- 3–6 mo
The four risk levers that make or break the model.
- L1 · PowerSolve your own electrons.
Every line item assumes the operator carries solar + battery for at least 50% of demand. Without it, payback slips by 18–24 months.
- L2 · ForexCharge in USD where you can.
ZiG exposure is a stealth haircut. USD-invoiced businesses (export, diaspora, tourism) earn equity-like returns; ZiG-only models earn deposit-like returns.
- L3 · LogisticsPre-clear the border.
Beitbridge and Chirundu queues alone justify a 5–8% margin premium for bonded inventory and forwarder relationships.
- L4 · TalentESOP your retention plan.
Skilled labour fights gravity to leave. The most resilient models pay USD partial salaries plus equity from year 1.