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How to Start a Candle Business in Nigeria in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve been thinking of starting a candle business, 2026 is one of the best times to do it. More people are buying handmade, eco-friendly, and customised items, and candles fit perfectly into this trend. They are simple, classy products people love to buy for home decor, relaxation, events, and gifts.

The candle business also has low start-up costs, which makes it a great choice for beginners, side hustlers, and new entrepreneurs. You don’t need expensive machines, and you can start from your home. Plus, candle-making gives you unlimited room for creativity.

In this article, we’ll look at all that you need to know to start a candle business in Nigeria.

 

Why Start A Candle Business?

The luxury candle industry is expanding fast as more people spend money on quality lifestyle products. Many customers now use candles to decorate their homes, create a relaxing atmosphere, and enjoy soothing scents.

Businesses are also increasing their use of candles. Spas rely on them for aromatherapy sessions, while restaurants use them to create a calm and beautiful dining mood.

 

Starting a candle business in 2026 comes with clear advantages:

• Low cost to start

You only need a small budget and basic tools to begin candle-making.

 

• Many ways to sell

You can run your business online, supply local stores, or sell at markets and events.

 

• Easy to learn

Candle-making is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require complex skills.

 

• Highly customisable

You can create different scents, designs, and packaging to make your brand stand out.

 

Is a candle business profitable?

Many people ask if a candle business is truly profitable, and the answer is yes. When you manage your costs well and set the right selling prices, candle-making can bring in strong earnings. The global candle industry is also booming and is expected to hit over $250 million by 2030, creating huge opportunities for small brands, luxury candle makers, and home-based entrepreneurs.

One of the biggest reasons the candle business is profitable is the strong unit economics:

• High retail prices

A standard 8-ounce scented candle usually sells for ₦2,000 to ₦10,000+, and luxury brands often charge even more.

• Strong profit margins

If you sell directly to customers, you can keep your cost of production at about 30% or less of your selling price.

Another major advantage is the low cost of starting the business. Most new candle entrepreneurs begin with ₦10,000–₦60,000, which covers starter materials, basic tools, and enough supplies to start your candle business in Nigeria.

 

Types Of Homemade Candles To Sell

1. Vegan Candles

With more buyers looking for plant-based and cruelty-free products, vegan candles have become a strong niche. These candles avoid beeswax and other animal-based materials. Instead, they use plant waxes like soy, coconut, or natural vegetable blends. Vegan candles attract customers who want clean, ethical, and environmentally responsible products.

2. Soy Candles

Soy candles are made from soybeans, which makes them a cleaner and more eco-friendly option compared to paraffin or petroleum-based candles. They burn slowly, produce less smoke, and give customers long-lasting value. Because they’re natural and sustainable, soy candles are in high demand.

3. Decorative Candles

Decorative candles focus mainly on aesthetics. They’re made in unique shapes, bold colours, and eye-catching designs. Some may be unscented, but they serve as beautiful decor pieces for homes, offices, and events.

4. Scented & Aromatherapy Candles

These are among the most popular candles on the market. They come in many fragrances and are perfect for people who want their homes to smell fresh and inviting. Aromatherapy candles are created with essential oils and are used for specific benefits. This category sells very well because customers love the atmosphere and emotional comfort these candles provide.

 

How to start your candle business

1. Start with Proper Market Research

Before you launch your candle business, you need to understand who your ideal customers are. Your target market is the group of people most likely to buy your candles, and knowing them will help you make the right decisions about product design, pricing, marketing, and branding.

The candle industry is divided into three main market levels, and each one attracts different types of buyers:

• Luxury Candles — ₦15,000 to ₦55,000

This is the high-end segment. Customers here want luxury packaging, premium fragrances, and strong brand storytelling. Luxury candles sell well on boutique websites and through direct-to-consumer brands.

• Mid-Market Candles — ₦10,000 to ₦35,000

These candles offer quality and unique scents such as grapefruit, rosewater, or sandalwood. They are commonly sold in retail stores. This segment has broad appeal and attracts shoppers who want quality without luxury pricing.

• Mass-Market Candles — ₦200 to ₦8,000

These are budget-friendly candles with familiar scents like vanilla, lavender, or ocean breeze. Big brands such as Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works dominate this space. Products in this category move fast because they are affordable and widely available.

2. Build a Strong Brand Identity

A clear and memorable brand identity is one of the most important parts of growing a successful candle business. Your brand helps people recognise your products, trust your quality, and connect with your message. In a fast-growing candle industry, strong branding is what separates your business from the competition.

3. Choose a Simple and Memorable Candle Business Name

Picking the right name for your candle business is an important step in building your brand. Your business name should be short, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember. When customers can recall your name quickly, it becomes easier for them to recommend your brand to friends, share it online, and come back for repeat purchases.

4. Create a Simple Candle Business Plan

A business plan helps you understand your overall strategy, spot challenges early, and know the resources you’ll need before launching your candle brand. It also helps you stay focused on your goals and understand how your business will operate.

As you build your plan, ask yourself important questions such as:
• What is the long-term goal for my candle brand?
• Who are the main competitors in my niche?
• Will I sell through retail stores or online, like Komback marketplace or local gift shops?
• Am I planning to run an online store and sell directly to customers?

Your answers will shape how you price your products, design your packaging, build your website, and promote your brand.

5. Set the Right Price for Your Candles

Your candle pricing strategy should match your product quality, your brand, and the type of customers you want to attract. Luxury candles can be a bit expensive, while mid-range and mass-market candles fall into lower price brackets. To find the best price for your brand, follow these simple steps:

• Calculate Your Cost of Goods (COGS)

Add up everything it takes to make one candle—wax, wicks, fragrance oils, jars, labels, and your production time. Include a small portion of the equipment cost as well.

• Set Your Profit Margin

Decide how much profit you want to earn from every candle. Many candle businesses aim for a retail margin between 40% and 70%. A profit margin calculator can help you choose the best target.

• Understand Wholesale Pricing

Wholesale prices are lower than retail prices, but you make money through higher order quantities. Many retailers expect a 50% discount from your retail price.

6. Make Your Candle and Start Selling

You can easily make candles right in your kitchen, and the process is simple enough for beginners. Here is a straightforward guide on how to make soy candles at home, which you can later customize into products to sell.

What You Need for Homemade Soy Candles

To get started, gather these basic materials:

• Soy wax
• Cotton wicks
• Super glue
• Essential oils
• Spatula
• Double boiler (or a pot and heat-proof bowl)
• Thermometer
• Mason jar or any heat-safe jar
• Pen or pencil
• Candle molds (optional)

You can buy soy wax in bulk from wholesale candle suppliers like Bulk Apothecary for about ₦1,000 per pound. Look for cheap glass jars at dollar stores or thrift shops. The rest of the items are easy to find in most supermarkets or craft stores.

Choose the Right Fragrance

The National Candle Association says fragrance is the top thing customers care about. So choose your essential oils carefully. Instead of only using common scents like lavender or vanilla, try mixing oils to create unique blends that remind people of memories or spark curiosity.

Step 1: Melt Your Wax

Place your soy wax in a double boiler and heat it on medium. Stir with your spatula until all the pieces melt smoothly.

While the wax melts, glue the wick to the center of your jar and let it dry. This keeps the wick steady during pouring.

Step 2: Add Fragrance and Color

When the wax is fully melted, add your essential oil. Use one ounce of oil per pound of wax for a strong smell.

If you want colored candles, add a few bits of non-toxic crayons and stir until the color blends in.

Let the wax cool to 130°F–140°F. Use your thermometer to check.

Step 3: Pour the Wax

Hold the wick straight and slowly pour the cooled wax into your jar until it is about three-quarters full.

To keep the wick upright, tie the top of the wick to a pencil or pen and lay it across the top of the jar.

Step 4: Final Touches

Allow the candle to harden. If you see a small dip around the wick, don’t worry, it’s completely normal.

Reheat your leftover wax and pour a little more on top to fill the dip.

When the candle is fully firm, trim the wick. Your DIY soy candle is ready.

7. Set Up Your Online Store

Having your own online store is one of the best ways to sell candles. It gives you full control over your brand and allows you to keep more of your profits, unlike large marketplaces that take a big percentage from every sale.

8. Sell Your Candles Online

Online marketing is one of the fastest ways to reach buyers around the world. Use different digital platforms such as Instagram, X formerly Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, and WhatsApp to promote your

 

Conclusion

If you truly want to grow a profitable candle business, the steps in this guide give you a clear roadmap. We have broken down how to start a candle business into simple stages. By following these methods, you can turn your love for candle-making into a steady, rewarding business. With consistency, creativity, and the right marketing strategy, your candle brand can become a long-term source of income and a project you enjoy every day.

 

By kingkentus

Candle, Candle Light, Candle Marking