The verdict in three sentences
A credible online store in Ghana launches from roughly 9,000-15,000 GHS on a Starter plan, 50-product catalog, MTN MoMo and Telecel Cash payments, live in 1 to 3 weeks. The real trap isn't the build price but poorly controlled recurring costs: hosting, transaction fees, stacking SaaS subscriptions. The right call comes down to a simple trade-off between a monthly SaaS (predictable fixed costs) and a custom build (higher upfront, low marginal cost afterward).
Monthly SaaS or custom build: the real math
A Shopify-style SaaS reassures with its simplicity, but its true cost only shows over 24 months, transaction fees included. A custom build asks for a heavier upfront investment, then only needs managed hosting.
| Item | Monthly SaaS (Shopify-like) | Custom store (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial go-live | 0 to 800 GHS (theme) | ~12,000 GHS (Starter) |
| Platform subscription | 30-80 USD/month (~450-1,200 GHS) | 0 |
| Managed hosting | included | ~300-900 GHS/month |
| Transaction fees | 1.5-2.9% + fixed | 1.4-1.5% (MoMo via aggregator) |
| Launch delay | 3-7 days | 1-3 weeks |
| 24-month total (~200 orders/mo) | ~16,000-22,000 GHS | ~19,000-26,000 GHS |
Over the first 12 months, SaaS looks cheaper. Past 18-24 months and 300 orders/month, custom wins back the edge because there's no platform subscription that grows with revenue.
Ghana vs Togo: two markets, two cost structures
Accra and Lome operate in different payment ecosystems. The table below compares 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Element | Ghana (Accra) | Togo (Lome) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter store | ~9,000-15,000 GHS | 1,000,000 FCFA |
| Domain + hosting/year | 200-500 GHS | 90,000-300,000 FCFA |
| Mobile payment | MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash | Moov Money, MTN MoMo |
| Card/aggregator gateway | Paystack/Flutterwave 1.4-1.95% | 1.4-1.5% |
| Launch delay | 1-3 weeks | 5-15 days |
| Interface language | English | French |
Both markets share the same logic: mobile money dominates, cards stay a minority, and 3G speed drives conversion.
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Mini case study
Kwame runs a sneaker store in Osu, Accra. He sells 120 pairs/month at an average of 300 GHS, i.e. 36,000 GHS monthly revenue. On SaaS at 800 GHS/month + 2.9% fees, he pays 800 + 1,044 = 1,844 GHS/month in fixed and variable costs. On a custom Kolonell build (12,000 GHS one-off), hosting 600 GHS/month + 1.5% fees = 600 + 540 = 1,140 GHS/month. Difference: 704 GHS/month, or 8,448 GHS/year. The upfront investment pays back in about 17 months, after which he saves every month.
FAQ
What does an online store in Accra really cost in 2026? Budget around 9,000-15,000 GHS for a Starter build (50 products, MTN MoMo and Telecel Cash, orders dashboard), plus 300-900 GHS/month managed hosting. Growth tiers rise with unlimited catalog.
Is monthly SaaS cheaper than a custom build? For the first 12 months yes, with a 0-800 GHS start. But the 30-80 USD/month subscription plus transaction fees make custom the winner past 18-24 months.
Which payment methods for a Ghanaian store? MTN MoMo and Telecel Cash cover most of the local market, with aggregator fees around 1.4-1.95% via Paystack or Flutterwave. Cards still matter for diaspora buyers but are a minority.
How long to go live? Between 1 and 3 weeks for a turnkey Starter store: catalog, payment, mobile checkout and admin dashboard included.
Do I need 50 products from day one? No. Twenty well-made listings beat 50 rushed ones. The Starter plan caps at 50 SKUs, plenty to validate the market before moving to unlimited catalog.
Let's talk about your project. We'll price your Accra or Lome store in one conversation, no jargon. 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.
