The verdict in three sentences
A custom management software for an accounting firm in Dakar costs between 6,000,000 and 22,000,000 FCFA depending on modules, while an off-the-shelf SaaS runs 900,000 – 3,500,000 FCFA per year. Custom becomes worthwhile beyond 8 to 10 staff members, or as soon as OHADA tax filing and Wave/Orange Money reconciliation fall outside the standard scope. Under 5 users a well-integrated SaaS stays the economical choice — the real decision hinges on the 3-year total cost of ownership (TCO).
2026 pricing grid: custom vs SaaS
The ranges below are 2026 orders of magnitude for the Dakar market, delivered in French with training included.
| Item | Custom (build) | Market SaaS (year) |
|---|---|---|
| Core + client management | 3,000,000 FCFA | 480,000 FCFA |
| Accounting production module | 2,500,000 FCFA | 360,000 FCFA |
| OHADA / DGID tax filing | 2,800,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA |
| Invoicing + reminders | 1,800,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA |
| Secure client portal | 2,200,000 FCFA | included / 180,000 FCFA |
| Wave/OM reconciliation | 1,500,000 FCFA | non-standard |
| Training + data migration | 1,400,000 FCFA | 350,000 FCFA |
SaaS also bills per user: budget 9,000 to 18,000 FCFA/month per staff member, a line item that climbs fast as the firm grows.
Total cost of ownership over 3 years
This is the table that actually settles the debate, for a 10-person firm.
| Scenario | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | 3-yr TCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS 10 users | 3,200,000 | 3,200,000 | 3,400,000 | 9,800,000 FCFA |
| Custom Growth | 12,000,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,800,000 | 15,600,000 FCFA |
| Hybrid (SaaS + modules) | 5,500,000 | 2,400,000 | 2,400,000 | 10,300,000 FCFA |
Custom stays pricier over 3 years but turns neutral around year 4-5, while removing the per-user fee and granting full ownership of code and data — non-negotiable for firms bound by professional secrecy.
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Mini case study
Mr. Faye, managing partner of a 12-person accounting firm in Dakar (Plateau), paid 3,400,000 FCFA/year in SaaS licenses plus 40 hours/month manually re-entering mobile money payments. Kolonell quoted a custom core at 14,500,000 FCFA with automatic Wave/OM reconciliation. Gain: 40 h × 12 months × 8,000 FCFA hourly cost = 3,840,000 FCFA/year of recovered time, plus the 3,400,000 FCFA license saving. Payback in about 24 months, then 7,240,000 FCFA/year of net gain.
FAQ
How much does OHADA tax filing integration cost? Budget 2,500,000 to 3,200,000 FCFA in custom development to cover both the normal and minimal cash systems, with compliant DGID statement generation.
Is a SaaS enough for a small firm? Under 5 staff, yes: a 900,000 – 1,500,000 FCFA/year subscription covers the essentials and avoids a heavy upfront investment.
Can Wave and Orange Money be connected? Yes, the automatic reconciliation module costs around 1,500,000 FCFA and eliminates re-entry, often the biggest source of lost hours in a firm.
What is the delivery timeline? A complete custom core ships in 10 to 16 weeks; a pilot version (clients + invoicing) can be out in 5 to 6 weeks.
Who owns the data? With custom, the firm owns the code and database; with SaaS, data stays with the vendor, raising reversibility and confidentiality questions.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, priority modules (production, OHADA filing, client portal) and indicative budget. 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.
