The verdict in three sentences
For a Dubai trading house that wants to connect 1,500 mango, sesame and shea producers in East and West Africa with 80 buyers and importers in the Gulf and Europe, a B2B marketplace with commissions and escrow payments costs 300,000 to 650,000 AED in 2026 (roughly 80,000 to 175,000 USD), with a 6 to 8 month timeline. The business model relies on a 3 to 8 % commission on each transaction, provided the platform guarantees what buyers now demand: controlled quality and traceability down to the farm plot. On the producer side, everything depends on a very simple app in local languages, usable on an entry-level smartphone with voice messages.
The model: who pays what, and why escrow changes everything
Today, a sesame farmer in Sudan or Ethiopia, or a shea collector in northern Ghana, often sells to a local aggregator who pays cash, at a low price and without proof of origin. The importer in Jebel Ali or Rotterdam buys from intermediaries without knowing where the lot came from or whether it meets specifications. The platform connects both sides directly, sets prices per grade and locks the buyer's money in escrow until the lot is received and inspected. Producers are paid by mobile money as soon as inspection clears, and buyers only pay for compliant goods.
| Flow | 2026 amount or rate | Who pays | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 3 to 8 % of the transaction | Buyer or shared | 3 % on large volumes, 8 % on small lots |
| Escrow and payment fees | 0.8 to 1.5 % | Platform | Partner bank and mobile money |
| Producer mobile money payout | 0.5 to 1 % | Platform | Paid within 24 h of inspection |
| Quality control and weighing | 30 to 90 AED per lot | Buyer | Moisture, impurities, grading |
| Premium buyer subscription | 900 to 2,500 AED per month | Importer | Priority lot access, traceability reports |
| Producer registration | Free | Essential to reach 1,500 producers |
In a season where 12,000 tonnes of sesame and mango move through the platform for about 40 million AED, an average 4 % commission yields 1.6 million AED in gross revenue. Even at 1,500 tonnes in year one, roughly 5 million AED of transactions, commission brings in 200,000 AED.
What the platform costs, module by module
| Module | Indicative 2026 budget (AED) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Producer Android app (local languages, voice) | 65,000 to 130,000 | 2 to 3 months |
| Buyer web portal (lots, auctions, contracts) | 55,000 to 110,000 | 2 months |
| Escrow and mobile money payouts | 55,000 to 110,000 | 1.5 to 2 months |
| Traceability: plot, geolocation, lots, certificates | 55,000 to 110,000 | 2 months |
| Quality control and collection logistics | 30,000 to 75,000 | 1.5 months |
| Back office, disputes, dashboards | 30,000 to 80,000 | 1.5 months |
| Field testing with 50 pilot producers | 10,000 to 35,000 | 1 month |
| Total | 300,000 to 650,000 | 6 to 8 months |
Traceability is no longer optional. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) does not directly cover sesame or shea, but large European buyers are extending plot geolocation and proof of origin requirements into their contracts, and the organic market requires certificates per lot. A platform that supplies this export data justifies a 5 % commission where a simple listings board struggles to get 2 %. In Dubai, setting up in a free zone such as DMCC simplifies commodity trading licences, while escrow must be held by a regulated bank or payment provider.
Mini case study
Omar, founder of a Dubai commodity trading house, launches the platform with 400 sesame producers and 25 buyers in the first season. Target volume: 2,000 tonnes at 3,300 AED per tonne, 6.6 million AED of transactions. At a 4.5 % commission the platform earns 297,000 AED, minus 1.2 % payment and escrow fees (79,200 AED), so 217,800 AED net. With a 480,000 AED build and 90,000 AED of yearly running costs, break-even comes during the second season, once 1,500 producers and 80 buyers are active.
FAQ
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Can producers with low literacy use the app?
Yes, if it is designed for them: icons, product photos, voice messages in local languages and a field agent per cooperative. Plan 1 agent per 100 to 150 producers during the first season.
Who holds the money during escrow?
A partner bank or licensed payment provider, never the platform on its own account. In the UAE this means working with a CBUAE regulated institution, which takes 2 to 4 months to set up and should start on day one.
What commission should we set at launch?
Between 3 and 5 % to attract the first importers, with a higher rate, up to 8 %, for small lots that need more inspection. Above 8 %, buyers and producers start closing deals off-platform.
How do we stop transactions moving off-platform?
By offering value that direct contact cannot: escrow, quality control, 20 to 30 % pre-financing at order and the traceability documents required for export. Platforms that only connect parties lose 40 to 60 % of transactions.
Can we start smaller?
Yes: a first version at 180,000 to 260,000 AED, limited to sesame, without auctions and with manual quality control, launches in 4 months and validates the model over one season.
Let's scope your project. Describe your commodities and the number of producers and buyers you target: we will define a first version, an indicative budget and a launch before the next season. 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.
