The verdict in three sentences
For an auto parts distributor with 12,000 SKUs and 600 garage customers, a B2B ordering portal costs roughly 10,000,000 to 18,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 15,240 to 27,440) in our 2026 benchmark; Dubai agency rates typically run 2 to 3 times higher. The value is concentrated in three features: search by OEM reference or registration plate, real-time stock per branch and negotiated discounts per garage. The project takes 4 to 5 months, much of it spent making cross-references reliable.
The real problem: finding the right part
At a parts counter, a mechanic calls with a rough vehicle model, the salesperson looks up the reference, checks stock, then calls back. A wrong reference means a return, a courier trip and sometimes a lost customer.
| Indicator (2026 order of magnitude) | Phone or WhatsApp order | B2B portal |
|---|---|---|
| Time to identify a part | 5 to 15 min | 1 to 2 min by reference or plate |
| Wrong-part return rate | 6 to 10% | 2 to 3% |
| Stock availability | Checked by hand, often wrong | Real time per branch |
| Garage discounts applied | Salesperson's memory | Automatic per contract |
| Evening and weekend orders | Lost | 10 to 20% of online volume |
| Counter staff tied up | 6 to 8 | 3 to 4, the rest on advice and follow-up |
With 600 garages ordering 3 times a week each, that is over 7,000 orders a month. A few minutes saved on each adds up to several full-time positions.
Modules and their cost
The trickiest component is the cross-reference catalog. Plate search requires a database linking plate, model, engine and compatible references. For imported used vehicles, VIN or model search is often more reliable than the plate.
| Module | Function | 2026 estimated cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog and cross-references | 12,000 SKUs, OEM and aftermarket equivalents, supplier imports | 2,500,000 to 4,500,000 |
| Vehicle search | By plate, VIN, make and model, OEM reference | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 |
| Compatibility database | Annual license from a data provider (TecDoc type) | 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 per year |
| Real-time stock | Sync with branch inventory, reservation | 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 |
| Garage accounts and discounts | Discounts per family, per brand, credit limit | 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 |
| Payment and delivery | Mobile money, bank transfer, account terms, couriers | 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 |
| Mobile app or PWA | Quick ordering from the workshop, reference scan | 1,300,000 to 3,000,000 |
| Total project (excl. annual license) | 10,000,000 to 18,000,000 |
On the recurring side, plan hosting, maintenance and the data license. For a portal of this size, maintenance sits around 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month, on top of the license.
4 to 5 month plan
- Month 1: catalog audit, choice of compatibility source, discount rules.
- Months 2 and 3: portal development, stock connector, payment testing.
- Month 4: pilot with 30 to 50 garages, fixing missing cross-references.
- Month 5: opening to all 600 garages, training, activation campaign by sales reps.
Mini case study
Rashid, CEO of an auto parts distributor (12,000 SKUs, 600 garages, revenue equivalent to 6 billion FCFA), targets 35% of orders on the portal within 12 months. Illustrative calculation, to be redone with real data.
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- Returns avoided: the rate drops from 8% to 3% on 35% of revenue. Each return costs about 4% of its value (transport, handling, lost margin): 6 billion x 35% x 5% x 4% = 4,200,000 FCFA a year.
- Extra after-hours sales: 10% of online volume at 20% gross margin: 6 billion x 35% x 10% x 20% = 42,000,000 FCFA of margin, only part of which is truly new. Keeping a quarter: 10,500,000 FCFA.
- Investment: 14,000,000 FCFA + 1,800,000 FCFA data license + 1,200,000 FCFA maintenance per year.
In this scenario, the portal pays back in 12 to 14 months.
FAQ
Does plate search work everywhere?
Only partially in markets without an open national database linking plate and vehicle. We therefore combine a plate entered once by the garage, VIN and model search, which covers 85 to 90% of requests in practice.
Do we need a compatibility data license?
For 12,000 multi-brand SKUs, it is strongly recommended. Expect 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA a year depending on scope, versus months of manual entry.
How are garage discounts handled?
Each garage has a profile with discounts per family and brand. The net price shows at login, which removes 90% of price-check calls.
Which payment methods should we offer?
Mobile money for small garages (merchant fees around 1 to 2%), bank transfer and 30-day account terms for large accounts. The portal applies the credit limit automatically.
Can we keep our current management software?
Yes, the portal connects to your stock and invoicing system. If the software has no API, a file-based connector every 5 to 15 minutes remains a reliable option.
Let's scope your project. Send us your SKU, branch and garage counts for an estimate within the 10,000,000 to 18,000,000 FCFA range and a 4 to 5 month 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.
