oc2much@yahoo.com1. Overview
Ice cream and frozen desserts are popular treats in Nigeria, especially among families, students, and office workers. A home-based ice cream business allows you to produce flavored ice creams, sundaes, and frozen desserts for local customers, cafes, and small retailers.
This venture is low-to-medium capital, scalable, and high-demand, capable of generating ₦150,000 monthly with consistent daily sales. Creative flavors, hygiene, and attractive packaging drive repeat customers and bulk orders.
2. Market Opportunity
- Target customers: Households, students, office workers, cafes, and small stores.
- Trend: Rising demand for cold treats, especially during hot seasons and holidays.
- Competition: Moderate; fresh, homemade ice cream with unique flavors stands out.
- Growth potential: High; expand into custom flavors, event desserts, and online orders.
Consumers value freshness, taste, hygiene, and variety, making repeat purchases frequent.
3. Startup Cost Breakdown (₦)
| Item | Cost (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer | 50,000 | Medium-sized home freezer |
| Mixer / blender | 20,000 | For ice cream and dessert preparation |
| Raw materials | 25,000 | Milk, cream, sugar, flavorings, fruits |
| Packaging materials | 10,000 | Cups, lids, spoons, labels |
| Marketing & branding | 5,000 | Flyers, social media, WhatsApp promotion |
| Workspace setup | 5,000 | Table, storage containers, utensils |
| Miscellaneous | 5,000 | Cleaning tools, gloves, thermometers |
| Total Startup Cost | ₁20,000 |
Tip: Start with popular flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and mango, then introduce seasonal and creative blends.
4. How to Earn ₦150,000 Monthly
Revenue comes from selling ice cream cups, cones, and frozen desserts.
- Pricing example:
- Small cup: ₦250–₦300
- Medium cup: ₦400–₦500
- Large cup / sundae: ₦600–₦800
- Bulk packs: ₦2,000–₦3,000
- Daily sales calculation:
- 100 small cups × ₦250 = ₦25,000
- 50 medium cups × ₦400 = ₦20,000
- 20 large cups × ₦600 = ₦12,000
- Total daily revenue ≈ ₦57,000
- Monthly revenue (25 days) ≈ ₦1,425,000
- Operating costs:
- Milk, cream, sugar, packaging, and utilities: ~₦35,000–₦40,000/month
- Net monthly profit: ~₦150,000–₦180,000
- Scaling potential:
- Supply local stores, cafes, schools, and events
- Introduce premium flavors, sundaes, and dessert combos
- Offer online delivery for parties, events, and subscriptions
5. Step-by-Step Business Guide
- Acquire ingredients: Milk, cream, sugar, fruits, and flavorings.
- Set up workspace: Clean, home-friendly kitchen or small production area.
- Produce ice cream and desserts: Mix, freeze, and package using hygienic procedures.
- Package products: Cups, cones, or bulk packs with labels.
- Market your products: Social media, WhatsApp, local markets, and word-of-mouth.
- Offer tasting: Encourage first-time buyers to sample flavors.
- Scale gradually: Add seasonal flavors, gift packs, and event packages.
6. Challenges & Tips
Challenges:
- Short shelf life requiring daily sales
- Power outages affecting freezing and storage
- Competition from commercial ice cream brands
Tips:
- Use insulated freezers or ice packs to maintain freshness
- Focus on unique flavors and hygiene
- Offer bulk orders and party/event packages
- Partner with local stores and online delivery services for consistent sales
7. Profit Projection
| Metric | Value (₦) |
|---|---|
| Monthly revenue | 1,425,000 |
| Operating costs | 1,275,000 |
| Net monthly profit | 150,000–180,000 |
| Break-even timeline | <1 month |
| ROI first month | 125–150% |
With bulk orders, seasonal promotions, and delivery services, net monthly profit can grow to ₦200,000–₦250,000.
8. Feasibility Verdict
Feasibility: High
- Moderate startup cost (~₦120,000)
- High demand during hot seasons and events
- Home-based or small shop operation
- Scalable with online delivery and premium flavors
9. Conclusion
A homemade ice cream and frozen desserts business is a profitable, scalable, and high-demand food venture in Nigeria. By focusing on freshness, hygiene, and creative flavors, you can earn ₦150,000 monthly while serving families, students, and local businesses.
This business is ideal for home-based entrepreneurs seeking flexible, high-demand, and sweet-income opportunities in Nigeria’s growing dessert market.
