Why Paraguay Massive Opportunities
Paraguay has been isolated for much of its existence. Various dictatorships held back free commerce, but the country is now open for business. However, many businesses don't achieve Western standards.
- No websites
- Poor communication
- Hidden pricing
- Aren't on Google Maps
- Bookings made on WhatsApp
This is not to say that all Western standards are better than standards in Paraguay. Some customers prefer to use WhatsApp to book an appointment, instead of a website. It's certainly possible that Paraguayans don't use Google Maps, so there has been no need to bother listing on it. But ever since COVID, Western foreigners have started flooding in. These Westerners are looking to spend money with businesses who meet their standards.
The new Western immigration has created a valuable hole in the market to service their expectations.
Why Now
- Immigration of Westerners
- Global AI Infrastructure
Immigration of Westerners
Unfortunately, Western countries have experienced increasing unrest, spiking in 2020 due to COVID. Many are fleeing high taxes, social tensions, dictatorships, war, violence, and more. Paraguay is an easy country for them to immigrate to, and it charges little in taxes.
This rush into Paraguay is brand new. Residency applications are up 50% in 2025. Other countries in Latin America have always had plenty of gringos, but not Paraguay. Consequently, there is a lack of infrastructure to service these Western immigrants with their usual standards. This is the gap in the market that can be capitalized on.
^This screenshot from an expat group chat shows the exponential growth of english-speaking immigration in Paraguay.
Global AI Infrastructure
Paraguay has a surplus of renewable electricity, thanks to sharing the second-largest dam in the world with Brazil.
Electricity is relatively cheap in Paraguay. The accelerating advances in AI happened in 2021, but they are constricted by infrastructure. Large server farms/data centers and electricity are needed to develop AI models. International businesses have identified Paraguay as a provider. Electricity is cheap, the country is stable, and there are little natural disasters.
Infrastructure and services are needed to develop & serve the AI infrastructure market in Paraguay. This is a brand-new market gap, eager to be filled.
Paraguay Business Ideas
There are two categories of business ideas:
- Specific Problems in Paraguay
- Service Businesses to Improve
Problems to Solve in Paraguay
Solving these problems could yield a profitable business that benefits the greater good.
- Real Estate Purchase Title Scams
- Unfinished Prepaid Condo Purchases
- Restaurant Reservations are Inconvenient
- Receiving Mail is Confusing & Expensive
Real Estate Title Scams
Sometimes people buy property, but fail to actually buy the title to their real estate. It's not unheard of that expats think that they own a place, but they never actually own the title to the property. This prevents them from ever legally reselling the property, because they don't actually own it.
This can happen for various reasons, but usually because the title is tied up in a long history of transfers and confusing ownership, so it's hard to recover.
A solution to this problem, or a mitigation to the risks would be a highly valuable business in Paraguay. One expat with real-estate experience even just launched Paraguay's first real estate escrow service.
Unfinished Prepaid Condo Purchases
Many new apartment buildings presell their units before the building is even built. Unfortunately, sometimes the developer goes bankrupt (or disappears) before the building is built, and then the people who paid are left without any money.
This is a deep risk that's hard to solve, but any solution would be very valuable. Many expats have requested some sort of database where people can verify and review developers.
Restaurant Reservations are Inconvenient
Reservations with restaurants often require dealing with a WhatsApp bot, and submitting unnecessary personal information. Additionally, they can be impossible for foreigners to submit, because sometimes they require a Paraguayan Cédula (government ID) to make a reservation.
A more streamlined way to reserve restaurants could be valuable.
Receiving Mail is Confusing & Expensive
It's not easy to send and receive international mail in Paraguay. Even local mail is confusing, especially for expats.
Service Businesses to Improve
These classic businesses could be bought or built, and then improved with Western marketing and communication standards.
- Security Guard Agencies
- Medical & Dentistry Offices
- Bookstores
There are many known-value businesses in Paraguay, and there's room to improve them. Negociable is a marketplace for buying businesses in Paraguay, some listed for as cheap as $10,000.
Foreigners Taking Market Share
Foreigners coming to Paraguay to open businesses and gentrify neighborhoods begs the question: Are they welcomed?
Yes. In general, Paraguayans are excited to grow with the culture and money that expats are bringing in. Their world-class businesses are establishing jobs for locals. The economy is rising, and bringing everybody along with it. In the video above in this article, Asunción-based AI agency owner, Gastón, explains that Paraguayans are proud of their openness.
Of course, it's the responsibility of expats setting up shop to operate their business with ethics.
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