Phone vs Shoe Business In Nigeria | When it comes to starting a business in Nigeria, many entrepreneurs often face a tough choice: should I invest in phones and gadgets or shoes and slippers? Both are profitable in their own ways, but your decision depends on capital, target market, and risk level.
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In this post, we’ll break down both businesses, their advantages, challenges, and which one offers more profit potential in 2025.
Overview of Both Businesses (Phone vs Shoe Business In Nigeria)
Phone & Gadget Business
This involves selling mobile phones, accessories, power banks, earphones, smartwatches, and other tech gadgets. It’s a fast-moving business in Nigeria because phones have become a daily necessity.
Shoe & Slippers Business
This covers selling different types of footwear such as sneakers, sandals, corporate shoes, and slippers. Nigerians buy shoes regularly—whether for work, fashion, or casual use.
Capital Requirement
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Phones & Gadgets:
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Small scale: ₦300,000 – ₦1m
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Medium to large scale: ₦2m – ₦10m+
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Shoes & Slippers:
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Small scale: ₦50,000 – ₦200,000
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Medium scale: ₦300,000 – ₦1.5m
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Wholesale/Importation: ₦2m – ₦5m+
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👉🏽 Winner in affordability: Shoe & slippers business (lower entry capital).
Profit Margin
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Phones & Gadgets:
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Profit per phone ranges from ₦5,000 – ₦30,000 depending on model.
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Accessories can give 20–40% margin.
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Risk: Price fluctuations and depreciation.
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Shoes & Slippers:
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Profit per pair: ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 (retail).
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Wholesale profits: ₦50,000 – ₦200,000 per batch.
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Risk: Fashion changes, fake/low-quality imports.
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👉🏽 Winner in profit margin: Phones & gadgets (higher returns per item).
Market Demand
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Phones & Gadgets:
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Strong, as everyone uses phones.
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However, customers may not buy frequently (a phone can last 2–4 years).
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Shoes & Slippers:
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Strong, with repeat purchases.
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People buy new footwear more often—monthly, quarterly, or seasonally.
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👉🏽 Winner in repeat demand: Shoe & slippers business.
ALSO CHECK: Is Selling Phones and Gadgets More Profitable Than Selling Shoes and Slippers
Risk Level
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Phones & Gadgets:
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Higher risk due to theft, fast price drops, fake devices, and warranty issues.
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Shoes & Slippers:
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Lower risk since footwear has stable pricing and low depreciation.
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👉🏽 Winner in safety: Shoe & slippers business.
Scalability & Growth
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Phones & Gadgets:
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Opportunity to expand into tech repair, accessories, and e-commerce.
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Can scale quickly in cities.
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Shoes & Slippers:
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Easy to expand with online stores (Instagram, Jiji, Jumia).
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Strong potential in wholesale and importation.
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👉🏽 Winner: Both businesses scale well, depending on capital and strategy.
CHECK ALSO: How to Start a Profitable Phone and Gadget Business in Nigeria
Which Business Should You Choose in 2025?
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If you have small capital (₦50k – ₦200k) → Start with shoes & slippers.
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If you have medium to high capital (₦500k – ₦5m) → Phones & gadgets give bigger profit.
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If you want a lower-risk, steady-demand business → Shoes & slippers is safer.
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If you want high returns and are willing to take risks → Phones & gadgets.
✅ Final Verdict:
Both businesses are profitable, but shoes & slippers is more beginner-friendly, while phones & gadgets is for those with higher capital and risk appetite.
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