$500 can set up an offline business. I would not recommend an online investment unless you are highly skilled or you can have access to a trusted professional who can either help you trade on cryptocurrencies or Forex. For online business, you can create a blog and build it gradually but you should not be highly expectant to make profits immediately, it would depend on your level of creativity, consistency and hard work. You can also invest in stocks and shares in these networking companies if you are in Africa. Networks like; Airtel and MTN offer opportunities for investors where you would get you shares at the allocated time. This is more genuine and secured because your funds are safe. For offline businesses there are many businesses that can be set up but it would most definitely be on a small scale. The cost of renting a shop in some locations might consume the whole amount, therefore it is pertinent to go for lesser ones depending on the location as well. Selling of clothings like first grade thrift wears, opening a small restaurant, selling of phone spare parts and accessories, POS business, selling of provision or food items, selling of female and male foot wears.