Cooking Oil ATM Business in Kenya (2026): Is It Profitable? Prices, Licences & How to Start

Sep 27, 2026

atm vending business

Cooking Oil ATM Business in Kenya (2026): Is It Profitable? Prices, Licences & How to Start

A cooking oil ATM (also called a salad oil ATM or cooking oil vending machine) lets customers buy exactly the amount of cooking oil they can afford, from a few shillings' worth to several litres, straight into their own container. With branded oil prices high in 2026 (five-litre jerricans of premium brands have been retailing above KSh 1,500), selling oil in small quantities is a strong opportunity for shops and kiosks. Here is how to start, using H-TECH cooking oil ATMs available on Buy More Mall.

Is a Cooking Oil ATM Business Profitable?

Yes, when it is in the right location. Your profit comes from buying oil in bulk (20-litre jerricans or drums) and selling it in small measures. The machine measures each sale accurately, so you are not losing oil to spills and guesswork.

Example (illustration only): if you sell 40 litres a day with a margin of KSh 25 per litre, you earn KSh 1,000 a day, or about KSh 30,000 a month before rent and power. Work out your own margin from your bulk buying price and the price your customers will pay.

Step 1: Choose a Location

The best sites are where people buy food daily in small quantities: estate shops, market stalls, kiosks near bus stages and mini-supermarkets. A cooking oil ATM also brings extra customers into an existing shop.

Step 2: Licences and Permits

Business registration and KRA PIN.
County single business permit: for your shop or kiosk.
Public health certificate: cooking oil is a food product, so keep the premises and machine clean, and expect county health inspections.
Weights and Measures verification: any instrument used to measure goods for sale must be verified and stamped, generally every year, under the Weights and Measures Act. Have your machine's dispensing checked and stamped before you start selling.

Step 3: Choose Your Cooking Oil ATM

H-TECH TABLE TOP COOKING OIL ATM (MDF concept) – price in Kenya — H-TECH TABLE TOP COOKING OIL ATM (MDF concept)
**KSh 35,000**

H-TECH 20 LITRES COOKING OIL VENDING MACHINE (MDF Concept) – price in Kenya — H-TECH 20 LITRES COOKING OIL VENDING MACHINE (MDF Concept)
**KSh 71,000**

H-TECH 50 LITRES SALAD OIL ATM (MDF concept) – price in Kenya — H-TECH 50 LITRES SALAD OIL ATM (MDF concept)
**KSh 80,000**

100 litres H-TECH salad oil vending machine (MDF Concept) – price in Kenya — 100 litres H-TECH salad oil vending machine (MDF Concept)
**KSh 92,000**

100 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Stainless steel) – price in Kenya — 100 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Stainless steel)
**KSh 105,000**

H-TECH cooking oil ATMs on Buy More Mall. Tap a photo for details.

Machine	Price
H-TECH TABLE TOP COOKING OIL ATM (MDF concept)	KSh 35,000
Table Top cooking oil vending machine (Mild steel)	KSh 38,000
Table Top cooking oil vending machine (stainless steel)	KSh 40,000
H-TECH 20 LITRES COOKING OIL VENDING MACHINE (MDF Concept)	KSh 71,000
20 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Mild steel)	KSh 74,000
H-TECH 50 LITRES SALAD OIL ATM (MDF concept)	KSh 80,000
20 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Stainless steel)	KSh 81,000
50 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Mild steel)	KSh 85,000
50 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Stainless steel)	KSh 90,000
100 litres H-TECH salad oil vending machine (MDF Concept)	KSh 92,000
100 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Mild steel)	KSh 95,000
100 Liters cooking oil vending machine (Stainless steel)	KSh 105,000

Machines come in table-top, 20, 50 and 100 litre sizes, in an MDF-concept cabinet, mild steel or stainless steel. According to the listings, the 100 litre table-top model has a calibrated PLC unit for accurate dispensing, a lockable, tamper-proof mechanism and a counter-top design that saves space.

Small kiosk: a table-top machine from KSh 35,000.
Busy shop: a 20 or 50 litre machine, so you refill less often.
Supermarket or wholesale counter: a 100 litre machine from KSh 92,000.
Stainless steel costs a little more than mild steel and is easier to keep clean.

Browse all of them in the H-TECH Vending Machines range.

Step 4: Buy Your Oil in Bulk

Buy 20-litre jerricans or drums from a wholesaler or distributor, and compare prices regularly.
Stock one or two popular brands customers already trust.
Keep oil sealed, cool and out of direct sunlight until you fill the machine.

Step 5: Run It Well

Clean the dispensing nozzle daily and the tank whenever you change brands.
Show the price per litre clearly, and let customers bring their own bottles.
Keep simple daily records of litres sold and cash collected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a cooking oil ATM in Kenya?

H-TECH cooking oil ATMs on Buy More Mall cost from KSh 35,000 (table-top) to KSh 105,000 (100 litre stainless steel).

Do I need a licence for a cooking oil ATM?

You need a county business permit, and the machine must be verified and stamped by Weights and Measures because it measures goods for sale. Keep the premises clean for public health inspections.

What is the difference between a cooking oil ATM and a salad oil ATM?

They are the same kind of machine. "Salad oil" is a common name for cooking oil in Kenya.

Which size should I start with?

A table-top or 20 litre machine suits most shops. Busy supermarkets can go for 50 or 100 litres.

Licence fees, requirements and market prices change. The figures here were checked in September 2026. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and your county government before investing.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.