The verdict in three sentences
A B2B matchmaking platform MVP in Dakar (shipping SMEs on one side, truck operators on the other) costs between 8,000,000 and 15,000,000 FCFA in 2026 (about EUR 12,200 to 22,900), delivered in 10 to 14 weeks. The budget should fund a single complete flow, from transport request to payment via Wave or Orange Money, and nothing else. The MVP is validated if, three months after launch, 50 companies use it actively and 20% of them order again: these are the two numbers investors will check before any round.
Budget by phase
| Phase | Share | 8,000,000 FCFA MVP | 15,000,000 FCFA MVP | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping and field tests (SME and operator interviews) | 10% | 800,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 |
| Mobile-first UX design | 15% | 1,200,000 FCFA | 2,250,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 |
| Web and PWA development | 50% | 4,000,000 FCFA | 7,500,000 FCFA | 4 to 11 |
| Wave and Orange Money payments, SMS and WhatsApp notifications | 10% | 800,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 FCFA | 8 to 11 |
| Testing, acceptance and launch | 15% | 1,200,000 FCFA | 2,250,000 FCFA | 11 to 14 |
| Total | 100% | 8,000,000 FCFA | 15,000,000 FCFA | 10 to 14 |
At 8,000,000 FCFA you get a request flow, an operator dashboard, mobile payment and a simple back office. At 15,000,000 FCFA you add operator verification (ID, vehicle registration, insurance), real-time trip tracking, two-way ratings and automatic invoicing to SMEs. A native iOS and Android app would add 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA: a PWA is enough to validate the market.
Recurring costs after launch
| Item | 2026 cost | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud hosting, database, backups | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per month | depending on volume and redundancy |
| Wave collection fees | about 1% | the cheapest option for Senegalese SMEs |
| Orange Money collection fees | 1 to 2% depending on the merchant contract | needed to reach every payer |
| Multi-method aggregator (card, mobile money) | 2.5 to 3.5% | useful for clients outside Senegal |
| Notification SMS | 15 to 25 FCFA per SMS | 2 to 4 SMS per trip |
| Corrective and evolutionary maintenance | 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA per month | 2 to 4 development days |
| Domain, email, tools | 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA per month | rough estimate |
So plan 500,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA per month (about EUR 760 to 1,525) of running costs during the test phase, built into your first 6 months of cash.
Validation thresholds at 3 months
| Indicator | Target threshold | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Active SMEs (at least one trip per month) | 50 | proves demand |
| Repeat purchase rate | 20% | proves value, not curiosity |
| Verified, active operators | 30 to 40 | avoids unanswered requests |
| Average matching time | under 4 h | the key promise versus the phone |
| Average commission per trip | 5 to 10% | basis of the business model |
| Acquisition cost per SME | under 25,000 FCFA | condition for scaling |
If two of these thresholds are missed after 90 days, adjust the offer (area, type of goods, price) before adding features: it is the most expensive trap for two-sided platforms. For an investor or a diaspora founder looking at West Africa, these thresholds are also the simplest due diligence grid.
Mini case study
Moussa, a founder in Dakar, launches a platform connecting SMEs in the industrial zone with independent truck operators. MVP: 11,500,000 FCFA in 12 weeks. Three months later: 62 active SMEs, 18 ordering regularly (29% repeat rate), 380 trips at an average of 75,000 FCFA, i.e. 28,500,000 FCFA of freight. At an 8% commission, the platform earns 2,280,000 FCFA; after 570,000 FCFA of collection fees and 600,000 FCFA of hosting, 1,110,000 FCFA remains over the period. The model is not yet profitable, but both thresholds are beaten and Moussa shows investors real numbers.
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FAQ
Why not start with a WhatsApp group?
It is a good 2 to 4 week test to check demand. Beyond roughly 30 trips per week, manual handling becomes unmanageable and you measure neither repeat purchases nor commission.
Do I need a native mobile app from day one?
No. A PWA runs on entry-level Android smartphones and on 3G, and saves 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA of native development until the market is validated.
How do I secure payment between SME and operator?
The platform collects via Wave or Orange Money, keeps its 5 to 10% commission and pays the operator after delivery is confirmed, usually within 24 to 48 h.
How long before raising funds?
Allow 3 to 6 months of data after launch. With 50 active companies and 20% repeat purchase, a seed round of 100,000,000 to 300,000,000 FCFA becomes defensible, as a rough estimate.
Does the budget include launch marketing?
No. Plan 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA for the first 3 months: field sales, targeted ads and meetings with operator associations.
Let's scope your project. Describe your two user types and your launch area: we will propose an MVP scope, a FCFA budget and a 10 to 14 week plan. 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.
