Starting an On-Demand Business in Zambia: A Practical Guide

Zambians are changing the way they work and live. Ten years ago, it was common practice to call around or ask a neighbor for help finding a house cleaner, a plumber, or a taxi. People now anticipate being able to locate these services on their phones in a matter of seconds.

Convenience sells in the new economy brought about by the proliferation of mobile money, more affordable smartphones, and improved internet coverage. Social media is no longer the only use case for apps. They serve as comfort and everyday survival tools.

For this reason, on-demand app platforms, the apps that allow you to order a ride, book a cleaner, or have your groceries delivered are becoming more and more popular. The opportunity is wide open in Zambia. Research suggests the country’s on-demand economy could grow to more than $200 million in the next few years. And unlike saturated markets elsewhere, local entrepreneurs here still have the chance to shape the playing field.

What are the Types of On-Demand Apps in Zambia?

There isn’t one model for on-demand services. Different needs create different opportunities. In Zambia, several categories are showing promise.

1 Transport and Ridesharing

Traffic in Lusaka is getting heavier, and public buses don’t always cover every route. That’s why ride-hailing platforms have room to grow. Ulendo, for example, tried to fill this gap with a Ride Sharing App tailored to local commuters.

Global models like Uber Rideshare or Lyft Rideshare App are known, but they don’t always match local realities, including high data costs, patchy maps, and cash-based customers. A locally built Uber Rideshare App alternative, designed around mobile money and community trust, could thrive. Even Uber Share-style pooling could work on popular routes between residential areas and the CBD.

2 Home Services

Urban Zambians, especially professionals, don’t have time for endless household chores. A House Cleaning App or broader Home Services App could be the solution. Imagine booking a cleaner for Saturday morning and setting reminders with a House Cleaning Schedule App.

The demand isn’t just for cleaning. A Home Repair App that connects people to electricians, carpenters, and plumbers could become a household name. A reliable House Cleaning Application, marketed well, could save families hours every week.

3 Food and Groceries

Platforms like Tigmoo Eats and AfriDelivery have shown there’s an appetite for food delivery. But the grocery side is still underserved. Many people would pay for fresh vegetables from Soweto Market delivered to their door. A small grocery-delivery extension to a Home Services App could find an instant audience.

4 Healthcare and Pharmacy

Getting to a clinic can be difficult, especially for people outside urban centers. Telemedicine and pharmacy delivery are slowly emerging. Apps that bring doctors and patients together could cut costs and waiting times.

5 Logistics and Couriers

Small businesses selling through Facebook or WhatsApp constantly need affordable delivery. A courier-focused app that connects riders to customers could solve a major pain point for SMEs.

What are the Core Features of an On-Demand App?

If an app is clunky, people delete it. That’s the truth. A good app in Zambia needs:

• Easy sign-up with mobile number or social login.
• Search that works fast — whether for a driver or a cleaner.
• Real-time tracking, especially for rides and deliveries.
• Payment options that include mobile money. Forget only card payments.
• Scheduling tools, so users can set up a recurring House Cleaning Schedule App or pre-book rides.
• Reviews and ratings to build trust.
• Notifications that remind users their driver has arrived or their cleaner is on the way.
• Service provider dashboard so cleaners, drivers, or repair people can manage their bookings.
• Admin panel so the business owner sees what’s happening.

Zambian consumers expect reliability, not frills. If the app just works every time, it will spread by word of mouth.

Why On-Demand Apps Benefit Local Startups?

For startups, the model is attractive. Why?

• It scales. Start in Lusaka, expand to Copperbelt, then other towns.
• It creates jobs. Every driver on a Ride Sharing App, every cleaner using a House Cleaning Application, is another income earner.
• It requires less upfront capital than a physical business.
• It provides transparency. Customers see the price upfront.
• It builds loyalty. Once people trust your Best House Cleaning App, they’ll keep coming back.
• It gives data insights. A founder can spot booking patterns and adjust services.

What are the Market Trends & What Users Expect?

The Zambian market has unique traits. Entrepreneurs need to know them.

• Mobile-first nation: More than 75% of traffic is mobile. Desktop barely matters.
• Mobile money everywhere: Transactions through Airtel Money, MTN Money, and Zamtel Kwacha have crossed billions of dollars annually. Apps that don’t integrate these will fail.
• Urban growth: Lusaka alone grows by thousands of people each month. Urban households want services like House Cleaning App and Home Repair App.
• Trust concerns: People want vetted drivers and cleaners. Safety is non-negotiable.
• Sustainability trend: Younger users value ride-pooling options like Uber Share, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, or recycling services.

Projections suggest Zambia’s on-demand economy could expand by 35–40% by 2028, with transport and home services leading the charge.

Also Read: How to Start an On-Demand Business in Malawi?

What are the Ways to Monetize On-Demand Apps?

Revenue comes in many forms. Popular models include:

• Commissions: Take a cut from each ride or cleaning booking, similar to Uber Rideshare or Lyft Rideshare.
• Subscriptions: Offer premium features like discounted rides or recurring bookings on a urbanclap clone app.
• Service fees: Add small booking or delivery fees.
• In-app ads: Allow local businesses to promote themselves.
• Freemium features: Free basic use, advanced features like auto-scheduling in a House Cleaning Schedule App for paying users.
• Corporate packages: Partner with offices or apartments for regular cleaning or transport contracts.

The mix depends on the market. But in Zambia, commissions plus mobile-money-friendly service fees are likely to dominate.

Appicial’s Role in Zambia’s On-Demand Growth

Building an app from scratch isn’t easy. That’s where Appicial comes in.

Appicial develops on-demand platforms across industries. For Zambia, that means creating apps tuned for mobile money, local languages, and local habits.

They offer:

• Custom builds for a Ride Sharing App, Home Services App, or House Cleaning Application.
• Scalable platforms that grow with the user base.
• Feature-rich solutions like AI-powered scheduling, driver tracking, and easy payment gateways.
• Local integrations with MTN, Airtel, and Zamtel.
• Ongoing technical support for startups.

Appicial makes it possible for Zambian entrepreneurs to launch quickly without worrying about technical roadblocks.

Conclusion

On-demand businesses in Zambia are not just the future. They are already reshaping daily life. The demand is rising for apps that do everything from house cleaning to ride sharing to home repair.

Faster, safer, and more convenient services are what customers desire. Startups that prioritize user experience, establish credibility, and employ astute monetization strategies will succeed.

With a partner like Appicial, the barriers to entry are lower than ever. Zambia’s on-demand economy is still young. Those who act now will set the standard for years to come.

Author's Bio

Vinay Jain

Vinay Jain is the Founder at Grepix Infotech and brings over 12 years of entrepreneurial experience. His focus revolves around software & business development and customer satisfaction.