Is the Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Business Profitable in Nigeria?
Is Ice Cream Business Profitable in Nigeria? Full Guide + Frozen Yogurt Business, Equipment, Cost & How to Start
If you are thinking of starting an ice cream or frozen yogurt business in Nigeria, you are not alone. Dessert businesses are growing rapidly across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Asaba, and major cities. The demand for soft serve, scooped ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, and waffles has increased as Nigerians spend more on quick treats, family outings, and event desserts.
And yes the ice cream business is very profitable in Nigeria, whether you’re starting small with a kiosk or going big with a dessert shop.
In this article, we will break down:
Is ice cream business profitable? Is frozen yogurt business profitable? What do you need to start a frozen yogurt and ice cream business? How long does yogurt take to become ice cream? How much does it cost to start an ice cream business in Nigeria? Best equipment to start How to price your products Ice cream & yogurt business ideas How Afess helps you set up your entire dessert business
We’ll also include recommended AFESS equipment (with image cues), and links to our Instagram + YouTube showcase videos:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQT3Yi8jM89/?img_index=2
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/uWbkv1yAWEo?si=ujWRmfpumwuKd8pc
Is Ice Cream Business Profitable in Nigeria?
Yes extremely profitable.
Here’s why:
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Nigeria is a hot-weather country, so cold desserts sell year-round.
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Children, teenagers, adults, and families love ice cream as an impulse treat.
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Dessert shops are trending across malls, cinemas, estates, and schools.
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You can combine ice cream + frozen yogurt + waffles + smoothies = more income.
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You can sell at events (weddings, birthdays) which doubles profit.
On average, small ice cream kiosks make ₦20,000 – ₦60,000 daily, while busy locations can make ₦80,000 – ₦200,000+ per day.
Is Frozen Yogurt Business Profitable in Nigeria?
Absolutely YES especially in estates, private schools, malls, health-conscious areas, and universities.
Frozen yogurt is profitable because:
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It attracts a healthier audience
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Higher selling price than ice cream
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Lower sugar option
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Beautiful look and texture
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Perfect for toppings (which increases profit)
The business works with the same soft serve machine used for ice cream meaning you can sell two businesses in one machine.
What Do You Need to Start a Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream Business?
To run a successful dessert business, you need:
1. Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine (Most Important)
Used to produce:
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Vanilla ice cream
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Chocolate ice cream
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Frozen yogurt
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Strawberry
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Swirls
Afess Recommendation: Single Nozzle Double Nozzle Triple Nozzle Machine
2. Display Freezer (For scooped ice cream & storage)
Used to store:
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Gelato
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Scooped ice cream
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Popsicles
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Take-home packs
3. Stainless Steel Work Table
For mixing, prepping, storing, and hygiene.
4. Topping Station
This increases revenue by 30–50% because customers love adding toppings like:
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Oreos
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Granola
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Fruits
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Caramel
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Sprinkles
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Chocolate chips
5. Blender (Optional but profitable)
If you want to add milkshakes, smoothies, and frappes.
An industrial blender in use6. Branding & Packaging
Your cups, lids, napkins, spoons, stickers, and signage help attract customers immediately.
How Long Does It Take for Yogurt to Become Ice Cream?
Frozen yogurt freezes and reaches serving consistency in 8–12 minutes, depending on your machine.
Afess soft-serve machines are designed to freeze faster, smoother, and creamier even with Nigeria’s inconsistent power supply.
Cost of Starting Ice Cream & Yogurt Business in Nigeria (Breakdown)
Start with what you can afford:
SMALL SCALE (₦450,000 – ₦1.2M)
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Tabletop soft serve machine
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Basic toppings
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Small freezer
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Branding
Good for: Home business Events Small kiosk Street corner
MEDIUM SCALE (₦1.3M – ₦3.5M)
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Double soft serve machine
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Display freezer
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Topping station
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Work table
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Branding + interior setup
LARGE SCALE SHOP (₦4M – ₦9M+)
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Multiple soft serve machines
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Large display freezer
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Back-store freezer
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Seating area
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Menu expansion
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Staff training
This is what you see in big malls, cinemas, Shoprite areas, and premium estates.
Ice Cream & Yogurt Business Ideas That Work in Nigeria
If you want fast growth, combine these ideas:
Ice Cream Kiosk
Frozen Yogurt Station
Ice Cream Cart for Events
Dessert Shop
Ice Cream + Waffles Combo
Ice Cream + Smoothies
Takeaway family bowls
Ice cream cakes
Popsicles business
Corporate office supplies
How Afess Helps You Succeed (Why Most Entrepreneurs Choose Us)
Afess Industrial Equipment provides one stop solutions for food business owners.
We offer:
Soft serve machines
Deep freezers
Display chillers
Industrial blenders
Stainless steel tables
Topping stations
Workstations
Vending freezers
Commercial refrigerators
We don’t just sell machines we help entrepreneurs set up, grow, and stay profitable.
Visit: www.afess.ng
IG & YouTube links included above.
Conclusion
The ice cream and frozen yogurt business is one of the smartest, most profitable businesses in Nigeria today. Whether you start small or build a dessert empire, you need the right equipment, menu, pricing, and support.
That’s where AFESS comes in to give you the exact tools, machines, and guidance to start right.