Load shedding has become a daily reality for South Africans, affecting homes, businesses, and productivity. With power outages disrupting traditional work environments, many are looking for load shedding-proof businesses that can thrive even when the lights go out.
The good news? You don’t need to rely on Eskom to build a successful, sustainable business. With just a mobile device and an internet connection, you can start a profitable online business that continues to grow—even during power cuts.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why Load Shedding is Here to Stay
- The Best Load Shedding-Safe Businesses to Start
- Tools and Apps to Stay Productive During Power Cuts
- How to Set Up a Load Shedding-Proof Business
- The Future of Work in a Load Shedding World
If you’re tired of power outages disrupting your income, this article is for you. Let’s dive in!
⚡ Why Load Shedding is Here to Stay in South Africa
Load shedding isn’t going away anytime soon. Eskom continues to struggle with:
✔️ Aging infrastructure and outdated power plants.
✔️ Unplanned breakdowns leading to electricity shortages.
✔️ A lack of alternative energy sources to meet demand.
✔️ Rolling blackouts affecting businesses and homes daily.
With Stage 6 load shedding becoming more common, entrepreneurs need a plan to keep earning—even when the power is off.
💡 Load Shedding-Safe Businesses You Can Run from a Mobile Device
Not all businesses require constant electricity. If you choose the right digital business model, you can work from anywhere using just a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with backup power.
Here are some of the best businesses to start in 2025 that are not affected by load shedding:
Not all businesses require constant electricity. If you choose the right digital business model, you can work from anywhere using just a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with backup power.
Here are some of the best businesses to start in 2025 that are not affected by load shedding:
Start an E-commerce Store (Sell Online, No Physical Shop Needed!)
1️⃣ Start an E-commerce Store (Sell Online, No Physical Shop Needed!)
Why?
✔️ No physical location = No power dependency.
✔️ You can run everything from a smartphone.
✔️ South Africans are shopping online more than ever!
How to Start:
✅ Use platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Takealot Marketplace.
✅ Sell dropshipping products—no inventory needed.
✅ Market your store through social media and paid ads.
Best Products to Sell Online in South Africa:
🛑 Load shedding solutions (solar lights, power banks, inverters).
📱 Tech accessories (smartphone cases, wireless chargers).
💄 Beauty and skincare products (organic and local brands).
🚀 Print-on-demand (custom T-shirts, mugs, phone covers).
💡 Pro Tip: Use mobile-friendly apps like Shopify, WhatsApp Business, and PayFast to manage orders from your phone!
2️⃣ Become a Social Media Manager (Run Accounts for Businesses!)
Why?
✔️ No need for a computer—work from your phone!
✔️ Businesses need online marketing, regardless of power cuts.
✔️ You can schedule content in advance to post automatically.
How to Start:
✅ Learn social media marketing using free courses (Google, HubSpot).
✅ Offer services on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Upwork.
✅ Manage social media pages for local businesses (restaurants, salons, gyms).
What You’ll Do:
📆 Plan and schedule posts using Meta Business Suite.
🎨 Create eye-catching content using Canva (mobile app available).
💬 Respond to comments and DMs to grow engagement.
💡 Pro Tip: Automate posts using Buffer or Later—this way, your clients’ content goes live, even if you’re offline!
Start a Digital Marketing Business (Help Brands Get Customers Online)
3️⃣ Start a Digital Marketing Business (Help Brands Get Customers Online)
Why?
✔️ Businesses are moving online = High demand for marketers.
✔️ You can run ads, SEO, and email marketing from a phone.
✔️ No office, no electricity dependency, 100% remote work.
How to Start:
✅ Learn digital marketing with free courses (Google Digital Garage).
✅ Offer Facebook & Instagram ad services.
✅ Help local businesses with Google My Business listings.
Best Services to Offer:
🔍 SEO optimization (help businesses rank on Google).
📢 Paid ads (Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads).
📩 Email marketing (help businesses keep in touch with customers).
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager apps to run ads from your phone, even during load shedding!
South Africa business ideas
4️⃣ Become a Virtual Assistant (VA) for International Clients
Why?
✔️ Work from anywhere, anytime—no power needed.
✔️ Earn in dollars, pounds, or euros 💰.
✔️ Offer admin, email, and social media tasks.
How to Start:
✅ List your services on Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn.
✅ Offer email management, appointment scheduling, and data entry.
✅ Use WhatsApp Business to communicate with clients easily.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Workspace and Trello to manage tasks from your mobile!
5️⃣ Offer Online Coaching or Consulting (Teach & Make Money!)
Why?
✔️ No electricity needed—just your knowledge and Zoom/WhatsApp.
✔️ Work from home, coffee shops, or co-working spaces.
✔️ High-demand fields include business coaching, fitness training, and language teaching.
How to Start:
✅ Choose a topic you’re skilled at (marketing, fitness, language, finance).
✅ Offer one-on-one coaching via Zoom, Skype, or WhatsApp calls.
✅ Sell online courses using Teachable or Gumroad.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Calendar and Zoom apps to manage bookings and calls on mobile!
📱 Essential Apps & Tools to Stay Productive During Load Shedding
With the right apps and tools, you can keep working even when Eskom takes the lights out.
🔹 Best Productivity Apps for Load Shedding:
✅ Google Drive & Dropbox – Store work in the cloud to access anytime.
✅ Canva & Adobe Express – Design content straight from your phone.
✅ Trello & Notion – Manage tasks and projects remotely.
✅ Zoom & Google Meet – Run online meetings without needing a PC.
✅ Hootsuite & Buffer – Schedule social media posts to go live automatically.
Bonus Tip: Get a power bank and mobile Wi-Fi router to stay connected!
🔮 The Future of Work in South Africa: Going Digital & Remote
South Africa’s future economy will be shaped by digital businesses. With constant power outages, remote work and mobile-based businesses are becoming the new normal.
📈 Key Future Work Trends:
✔️ More businesses moving online.
✔️ Growth in freelance and remote jobs.
✔️ Increased demand for digital skills (SEO, social media, e-commerce).
By starting a digital business now, you future-proof your income against load shedding and economic uncertainty.
🔥 Conclusion: Take Control & Build a Load Shedding-Proof Business Today
Load shedding doesn’t have to destroy your income. With a smartphone, Wi-Fi, and the right strategy, you can build a thriving business that operates 24/7, no matter what Eskom does.
🚀 Recap: Top Load Shedding-Safe Businesses to Start
1️⃣ E-commerce Store – Sell online, no electricity needed.
2️⃣ Social Media Manager – Manage accounts from your phone.
3️⃣ Digital Marketing Services – Help businesses grow online.
4️⃣ Virtual Assistant – Get paid to do admin tasks remotely.
5️⃣ Online Coaching/Consulting – Teach and make money online.
If you’re ready to break free from power cuts and start earning online, now is the time!
💡 What’s your plan for 2025? Drop a comment below! 👇
