The verdict in three sentences
An agritech platform connecting farmers and buyers costs between 2,500,000 and 9,000,000 FCFA in 2026 depending on scope and integrated logistics. Two things make or break it: mobile money payment with automatic split to each farmer, and including farmers without smartphones via USSD or an agent network. The business model rests on a 5 to 12% commission per transaction.
Features and price per module
| Module | Role | Indicative price FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer catalog | Profiles, products, stock | 500,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Group orders | Buyer aggregation | 600,000 – 1,400,000 |
| Mobile money + split | Wave/OM, farmer share | 800,000 – 1,800,000 |
| USSD / agent access | Farmers without smartphones | 700,000 – 1,700,000 |
| Logistics & transport | Pickup, delivery | 600,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Market prices & data | Rates, trends | 400,000 – 1,000,000 |
A V1 centered on catalog + orders + split payment starts at 2,500,000 – 4,000,000 FCFA and ships in 10 to 12 weeks. A full platform with USSD, logistics and market data reaches 7,000,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA over 14 to 18 weeks.
Commission model and split
| Item | Assumption | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Average basket | Group order | 50,000 FCFA |
| Platform commission | 8% | 4,000 FCFA |
| Farmer share | 92% | 46,000 FCFA |
| Mobile money fees | ~1.5% | 750 FCFA |
| Orders/month | V1 target | 400 |
| Commission revenue/month | 400 × 4,000 | 1,600,000 FCFA |
With 400 orders/month at 8% commission, the platform generates ~1,600,000 FCFA/month in gross revenue. A V1 at 3,500,000 FCFA is thus theoretically recovered in just over 2 months once volume is reached — the real challenge being farmer and buyer acquisition.
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Binta launches a platform connecting 60 market gardeners in the Niayes area to Dakar restaurants. Each farmer sells on average 120,000 FCFA/month via the platform, i.e. 7,200,000 FCFA of monthly volume. At 8% commission, that is 576,000 FCFA/month with the first hundred active farmers. The Wave split automatically pays 92% to each gardener, including those reachable only by USSD via a collection agent.
FAQ
How much does a basic agritech platform cost? A V1 with catalog, orders and mobile money split payment starts at 2,500,000 FCFA and ships in 10 to 12 weeks.
How do you serve farmers without smartphones? Two options: a USSD menu (works on any phone) and a network of agents who enter offers and collect payment. This module adds 700,000 to 1,700,000 FCFA but massively widens the farmer base.
How does payment split work? On each order paid via Wave/OM, the platform withholds its commission (5-12%) and automatically remits the farmer's share, with no manual cash handling.
Which revenue model should you adopt? Per-transaction commission (5-12%) is the most common; you can add premium farmer subscriptions or logistics fees. Budget ~1.5% mobile money fees to absorb.
Build or use an existing solution? Few SaaS handle local mobile money split and USSD; for these specific needs, custom often remains the only viable option in West Africa.
Let's talk about your project. We scope your agritech marketplace with a costed commission model and a USSD inclusion plan. 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.
