Is the Ice Cream Business Profitable in Nigeria? Here’s the Sweet Truth (and the Hot Pizza Combo You Didn’t See Coming!)

Introduction

Nigeria’s food industry is evolving fast  and two of the fastest-growing niches are ice cream parlors and quick-service pizza joints. Whether you’re in Lekki, Abuja, or Enugu, there’s one thing customers crave after a long, hot day a cold, creamy scoop or a fresh, cheesy slice.

At AFESS Industrial Equipment Ltd, we help small and mid-scale entrepreneurs launch and grow food businesses  with high-performance industrial equipment, flexible payment plans (30% upfront), and on-site setup support.

If you’ve ever dreamed of running a dessert café, pizza corner, or combo store this is your roadmap.

Why Ice Cream and Pizza Businesses Are Booming in Nigeria

Low waste, high margins – Ice cream has a shelf life that allows better inventory control.
Steady year-round demand – Nigeria’s climate makes cold desserts a consistent hit.
Affordable luxury – A ₦2,500 indulgence that feels premium but accessible.
Cross-selling power – Combine pizza + ice cream for family dining, date nights, or birthday catering.

Example:
A small store in Ikeja sells 120 cups of ice cream daily at ₦1,500 average price. That’s ₦180,000 daily revenue. Add 20 small pizzas at ₦4,000 each → ₦80,000. Total: ₦260,000/day ≈ ₦7.8M/month before costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an Ice Cream Business in Nigeria?

Starting costs depend on your scale:

Small kiosk / outlet: ₦800,000 – ₦2.5M
Mid-size shop or café: ₦3M – ₦6M
Full-service dessert restaurant: ₦8M+

Main equipment includes:

• Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine (₦900k – ₦2M)

• Cold Display Showcase Freezer  (₦500k – ₦1.2M)

• Pizza Oven / Deck Oven (₦1.5M – ₦3M)

• Industrial Mixer

• Work Tables & Stainless Counters

• Refrigerators & Freezers

• POS & Branding Materials

 All available at www.afess.ng — or visit our Alaba Showroom to see them in action.

 

What Makes a Pizza Business Successful

A pizza business thrives on speed, taste consistency, and presentation.

Here’s how:
✅ Fast Heating Equipment – Afess ovens reach baking temperature in minutes, saving power.
✅ Quality Dough Prep – Industrial mixers guarantee smooth dough and crust uniformity.
✅ Temperature Control – Freezers maintain your cheese and sauce in optimal condition.
✅ Visual Appeal – Display warmers and glass counters drive impulse sales.

Pairing pizza and ice cream creates a natural upsell cycle — customers finish their meal with dessert, doubling your ticket value.

Ice Cream Business Ideas (for 2025)

1. Mobile Ice Cream Cart / Tricycle Setup – Move around offices, schools, and parks.

2. Mall Mini Outlet – Rent a 4x4m space; focus on takeaway cups.

3. Pizza & Ice Cream Combo Bar – Perfect for evening crowds and events.

4. Home Delivery Kitchen – Low rent, high delivery volume via Jumia Food & Glovo.

5. Corporate Supply Chain – Serve offices or event planners with bulk frozen packs.

6. 

What’s the Minimum Investment?

Starting as small as ₦800,000 with Afess equipment financing (30% upfront, balance in 6–12 months).
You don’t need ₦5 million to begin — just start lean.

We’ve seen clients begin with a soft-serve machine, display freezer, and small counter, and scale up to a full café in six months.

Weaknesses of the Ice Cream Business (and How to Overcome Them)

❌ Power dependency: Afess machines come with energy-efficient compressors and gas options.
❌ Melt loss: Always use double-door display freezers with humidity control.
❌ Staff turnover: Simple equipment interfaces = less training time.
❌ Low rainy season demand: Cross-sell pizza, pastries, and hot drinks during wet months

 Turn Your Dessert Dream Into Profit.
Visit www.afess.ng or call 09169838312, 09169838309, 08137500323.
Head Office: 81 Olojo Drive, Alaba Int’l Market
Awka Branch: Shop 17 Plot A 280 Iyiagu, Akwa South
Lekki Office: Mr Groceries 2 Go, Opp. Lagos Business School