The verdict in three sentences
A B2B online sales platform for a distributor costs in 2026 between FCFA 8 and 25 million depending on scope, over a 4 to 7 month build. The three blocks that matter in West Africa: per-customer trade pricing, mobile payment (Wave, Orange Money) and a robust offline mode for reps on the road in unstable-connectivity areas. Done well, digitisation cuts manual entry by 60 % and makes stock reliable in real time.
What a B2B platform costs in Lagos in 2026
| Scope | Functions | Budget FCFA | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Catalog, trade accounts, base pricing, cart | 8 - 12 M | 4 - 5 months |
| Standard | + per-customer pricing, Wave/OM payment, history | 12 - 18 M | 5 - 6 months |
| Advanced | + offline mode, stock sync, rep app | 18 - 25 M | 6 - 7 months |
| Custom | + accounting integration, multi-warehouse, EDI | 25 - 40 M | 7 - 10 months |
Offline mode (an app that works without network then syncs) adds FCFA 3 to 6 M, but it is often the deciding factor for field adoption.
Key functions for West African distribution
| Function | What it delivers | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Per-customer trade pricing | Negotiated prices, volume discounts | +20 % account conversion |
| Wave / Orange Money payment | Immediate mobile collection | -50 % payment delays |
| Offline mode | Order without network then sync | +35 % field adoption |
| Catalog with photos | Fewer reference errors | -40 % disputes |
| Real-time stock | End of overselling | -60 % manual entry |
Monthly running cost
| Item | 2026 range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud hosting | FCFA 150,000 - 500,000/month | by traffic |
| Maintenance | FCFA 300,000 - 800,000/month | fixes + evolutions |
| Mobile payment fees | ~1 to 2 % per transaction | Wave / OM |
| Support / SLA | FCFA 100,000 - 300,000/month | optional |
Mini case study
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Mr Kone, manager of a construction-materials distributor in Lagos, handles 700 orders/month via 8 reps who bring paper order forms back to head office. Re-keying ties up 2 full-time staff, i.e. ~FCFA 500,000/month of loaded salaries, with 12 % entry errors driving disputes.
After deploying a platform at FCFA 17 M with offline mode and a rep app, re-keying drops by 60 %: one role is reassigned, saving ~FCFA 250,000/month. Errors fall to 3 %, cutting disputes by -40 %. With Wave collection, average payment time goes from 21 to 9 days, improving cash by several million. The project pays back in 14 to 18 months on operational gains alone.
FAQ
Is offline mode really essential? Yes for a distributor whose reps cover the country's interior: 3G/4G there is unstable. Offline mode adds FCFA 3 to 6 M but often makes the difference between 40 % and 90 % adoption.
Can we integrate Wave and Orange Money? Yes, via their APIs. Expect fees of 1 to 2 % per transaction and near-immediate collection, which sharply cuts B2B payment delays.
How long to deliver? An Essential base ships in 4 to 5 months; an advanced version with offline mode and stock sync needs 6 to 7 months.
What hosting should we pick? A reliable regional or international cloud costs FCFA 150,000 to 500,000/month by traffic; favour a CDN for speed on slow connections.
What ROI to expect? The 60 % cut in entry, fewer disputes and faster collection generally pay the project back in 14 to 18 months.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your catalog, your field zones and your order volume, and we will cost a B2B platform with offline mode and Wave/OM payment. 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.
