What it takes to start small delivery business in Zim

THE rise of online shopping and food delivery in Zimbabwe has opened up a promising opportunity: running a small delivery business.

It sounds simple — buy a bike, get a phone and start making deliveries.

But, as with most things in Zimbabwe, the reality is more complicated.

Before you hit the road, you will need cash, paperwork and a good dose of patience.

Costs

A delivery business starts with one essential tool: a vehicle.

In Zimbabwe, most small-scale operators choose motorcycles for their fuel efficiency and ability to weave through traffic.

Here is what that investment looks like:

Motorcycle — A second-hand bike costs between US$700 and US$1 500.

A brand-new one? Expect to pay upwards of US$2 000. A small delivery van — ideal for bulkier orders — will set you back at least US$5 000.

Licensing and registration — Registering your business with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority costs US$100 to US$200, depending on your structure. Then there is commercial vehicle registration and licensing, which adds another US$100 to US$300.

Insurance — Third-party insurance for a motorcycle costs about US$50 a year. Comprehensive coverage, which is a good idea if you do not want to be left stranded after an accident, is around US$250. Vans cost significantly more to insure.

Delivery box and branding — A secure delivery box costs around US$100, and if you want to look professional, adding branding brings the total to US$150.

 

Running the business

You have bought your bike, your paperwork is sorted and you are ready to roll, but now comes the tricky part — making it a business.

Fuel and maintenance — A motorbike burns through about US$5 to US$10 worth of fuel per day, depending on mileage.

Maintenance — oil changes, tyres and servicing — adds another US$200 to US$500 per year.

Payment systems — Zimbabwe is largely cashless. To get paid efficiently, you will need an EcoCash or ZIPIT account.

If you want to cater for businesses, a point-of-sale machine costs around US$300.

Marketing — Word-of-mouth is great but a basic social media presence is essential.

A Facebook page is free, but running adverts to attract customers might cost US$50 to US$200 a month.

A website? That is another US$200.

Permits and compliance — If you are handling food deliveries, some cities require health clearances, which cost around US$50.

If you plan to scale up, renting a small office or storage space starts at US$150 per month in Harare, for example.

Can you make money?

Let us do some quick math.

Most small operators charge US$2 to US$5 per trip within Harare.

If you are doing 10 deliveries a day,
that is up to US$1 500 a month before expenses.

After fuel, maintenance and other running costs, you are left with US$700 to US$1 000 — not bad, but not exactly a goldmine.

The real money comes with volume.

A delivery business in Zimbabwe is possible, but it is not easy.

Success depends on cutting costs, marketing smartly and building a loyal client base, one parcel at a time.