Cross River State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria and it is located in the Southern part of the country. The state was created on the 27th of May, 1967 and its capital city is Calabar. Cross River state is nicked name the people’s paradise and indeed it is one of the finest states in Nigeria. Cross River state shares border with Enugu State, Benue State, Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Cameroun Republic and the Atlantic Ocean hence it is a costal state.
Cross River state is one of the top destinations for tourism in Nigeria. Places like Obudu cattle ranch, beautiful sight and images of Tinapa Business Resort, Rain Forest of Afi, Mountain tops of Obanliku, Waterfalls of Agbokim and Kwa, Calabar slave park, Calabar Marina and also Calabar Residency Museum amongst many other interesting tourism site.
No doubt Cross River state is one of the most beautiful and peaceful state in Nigeria – little wonder it is a safe haven for foreigners. People from far and wide also travel to Calabar for the annual Calabar festival that takes place every Christmas period.
Aside from Tourism which is a major source of revenue for the state, Cross River state is also a major oil and gas producing state in Nigeria. Farming, fishing, Boat making and Basket making is the major occupation of people in the rural area. The major ethnic groups in Cross River State are the Efik people, the Ogoja people and the Ugep people.
Now let us quickly consider the top 10 business opportunities an entrepreneur can successful setup in Cross River State;
10 Small Business Investment Opportunities in Cross River State
1. Travels and Tourism Business
The tourism industry is one of the most booming industries in Cross River state and even in the whole of Nigeria. You can leverage on this as an investor to setup your own Travels and Tourism Company. All you need to do is to obtain the required license from both the State and Federal government. The truth is that, if you have a good website for this type of business, you will attract enough clients from within Nigeria and outside the shores of Nigeria as long as you run a complete travels and tours business.
2. Taxi Business
Cross River state and Calabar in particular is one of the states / cities in Nigeria that attracts high volume of visitor year in year out. If you are looking for a business to do that will position you to benefit from the huge numbers of visitors that visits Calabar is to start your own Taxi Business. You don’t necessarily need to be the one to drive the Taxi, all you need to do is to register a company, purchase a minimum of 10 cars and then hire 10 drivers.
3. Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant and Bar is yet another thriving business in Cross River state. All you need to do to get started with this type of business is to rent a facility in an area that is prone to high traffic and then setup you restaurant and bar. It is indeed a profitable business and there are many locations where standard restaurants are needed in Calabar, the state capital.
4. Hotel and Night Club Business
Another business that is highly profitable in Cross River state is the Hotel and Night Club business. If you have the financial capacity, then it will be a wise investment decision to setup your hotel and Night in Calabar – you will sure attracts loads of clients all thorough the year especially around festive period. Calabar has a healthy night life that is why Night club business is thriving in the state.
5. Information Technology Business
Information technology business is yet another highly profitable business an entrepreneur can start in Cross River State. All you need to do is to open a centre where people can come get their IT gadgets and accessories, and also you can help organizations with networking of their computers and other related IT services.
6. Gift Shop
If you are looking towards starting a business that is easy to setup, then you should consider starting a gift shop. Aside from selling gifts, you can also add the sales of perfumes and deodorants. It is indeed a profitable business to start in Cross River state.
7. Vegetables and Egg Supply Business
Cross River State is one of the states in Nigeria that is highly suitable for the cultivation of vegetables. You might not start farming vegetables; all you need to do is to look for hotels and restaurants to supply. It is one of the coolest ways to make cash in Cross River state. All you need to do to get started with this type of business is to source for where you can get vegetables and eggs in wholesale, purchase a delivery van, and then source for clients.
8. Printing Press
Printing press is another business that is not well spread in Calabar. You can consider starting your own printing press and you will have enough clients that will patronize you. Of course there are loads of churches, schools, offices and NGOs who print materials almost every month in Cross Rivers State, just ensure that your printing press is well positioned and you will have good returns on your investment.
9. Party Rental Business
Party rental business is yet another easy to setup business in Cross River state. So if you are looking for a business to start in Cross River state, you can consider starting your own party rental business. The truth is that events and parties take place every weekend in most parts of Calabar and other major towns in Cross River State.
10. Car Wash Business
Car wash is yet another thriving business an entrepreneur can successfully start in rivers state. It is not capital intensive to setup car was business and it is indeed a profitable business if well positioned and managed.
There you have it; the top 10 business opportunities in Cross River State.