The verdict in three sentences
A custom portal pulls an accounting firm out of email overload: document upload, tax deadlines, e-signature and billing in one place. The 2026 build runs 9.5 to 19 M FCFA (roughly 15,000-30,000 EUR), the 3-year TCO 16 to 32 M FCFA depending on the vault and compliance. The real return isn't in the budget but in the 5 to 8 hours/week each staffer gets back.
Build: custom vs packaged suite
The choice is between a portal developed for your processes and a packaged accounting suite with a built-in but rigid portal.
| Scope | Build (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| MVP (uploads, deadlines, messaging) | 9,500,000 - 13,000,000 | 9-11 wks |
| Standard (+ billing, reminders) | 13,000,000 - 16,000,000 | 11-13 wks |
| Extended (+ e-signature, workflow) | 16,000,000 - 19,000,000 | 12-14 wks |
| Document vault (option) | +2,500,000 - 5,000,000 | +2-3 wks |
A packaged suite is cheaper to enter (license 250,000-600,000 FCFA/month) but imposes its screens and doesn't always connect to your local tools.
The 3-year TCO in FCFA
On top of the build come compliant hosting (sensitive data) and maintenance. Expect 90,000 to 220,000 FCFA/month for hosting and 18-20% of the build per year for maintenance.
| Line item (36 months) | 2026 ballpark |
|---|---|
| Initial build | 9,500,000 - 19,000,000 |
| Document vault | 2,500,000 - 5,000,000 |
| Compliant hosting (3 years) | 3,240,000 - 7,920,000 |
| Maintenance (18-20%/yr) | 5,130,000 - 11,400,000 |
| 3-year TCO | 16,000,000 - 32,000,000 |
Compliant hosting (encryption, logging, backups) is non-negotiable for tax and payroll data. It weighs more than for a plain marketing site.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Ahmed, partner at a firm in Dubai (11 staff, 240 clients) is drowning in emailed documents. He scopes a Standard portal + vault at 17 M FCFA build, 3-year TCO ≈ 27 M FCFA. Each staffer reclaims 6 hours/week (chasing, searching, re-keying), i.e. ~66 hours/month across the team. Valued at 4,500 FCFA/hour, that's ~3.5 M FCFA/month of capacity made billable or freed for more clients. The portal pays back in under 10 months of productivity gains.
FAQ
Is a portal really safer than email? Yes, clearly: encryption, role-based access, upload logging, and no more sending sensitive documents over unencrypted email. It's also a compliance argument with clients.
Is e-signature included? It's an option (workflow + signature provider). Plan it in the extended batch; it removes paper back-and-forth on filings and mandates.
How much is compliant hosting? Roughly 90,000 to 220,000 FCFA/month depending on document volume and backup level. It's a recurring line to budget from the start.
What time savings should we expect? 5 to 8 hours/week per staffer in steady state, mostly on document chasing and search.
Can it connect to our accounting software? Yes if an API or export exists. Otherwise we start with file imports/exports, then a dedicated connector in batch 2.
Let's scope your project. Give us your staff count, document volume and signature needs, and we'll price build + 3-year TCO in FCFA. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
