The verdict in three sentences
Stacking SaaS subscriptions costs 250,000 to 900,000 FCFA/month (approx. €400-1,400) in 2026, i.e. 9,000,000 to 32,400,000 FCFA over 36 months. A custom platform costs 8,000,000 to 22,000,000 FCFA (approx. €12,000-34,000), plus local payment integration at 800,000-2,500,000 FCFA. The tipping point is the 36-month total cost of ownership (TCO), not the first invoice.
36-month TCO compared
| Item | Stacked SaaS | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 FCFA | 8 – 22 M FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 250,000 – 900,000 FCFA | 150,000 – 400,000 (hosting) |
| Local payment integration | often absent | 800,000 – 2,500,000 FCFA |
| 36-month cost | 9 – 32.4 M FCFA | 13.4 – 33 M FCFA |
| Business fit | partial | total |
| Ownership | rental | owned asset |
| FX risk | high | none |
Custom build detail 2026
| Item | 2026 range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Platform development | 8,000,000 – 22,000,000 FCFA | fixed |
| Local payment integration | 800,000 – 2,500,000 FCFA | fixed |
| Developer day rate | 110,000 – 200,000 FCFA | per day |
| Local hosting | 150,000 – 400,000 FCFA/mo | monthly |
| Delivery timeline | 8 – 16 weeks | — |
| Maintenance | 300,000 – 600,000 FCFA/mo | monthly |
2026 rule: once your subscriptions exceed ~500,000 FCFA/month, custom amortised over 3 years becomes competitive and removes FX risk.
Mini case study
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Sarah, COO of a 30-person services firm, pays for 4 SaaS at 620,000 FCFA/month (approx. €950), i.e. 22,320,000 FCFA over 36 months, in foreign currency. She commissions a custom platform: 14,000,000 FCFA build + 1,500,000 FCFA payment integration + 250,000 FCFA/month hosting. 36-month TCO: 14,000,000 + 1,500,000 + (250,000 × 36) = 24,500,000 FCFA. Slightly more at first glance, but the platform removes double entry (12 h/week) and FX risk, and becomes an owned asset — approved for the build.
FAQ
When does custom pay off? Once your SaaS subscriptions exceed ~500,000 FCFA/month, a build amortised over 3 years becomes competitive and removes FX risk.
How much is local payment integration? Expect 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA by number of providers and complexity (payment, refund, reconciliation).
How long for a custom platform? Between 8 and 16 weeks for a first usable version, depending on functional scope.
Is SaaS really riskier? On FX and fit, yes: currency billing, generic features and no local payment support penalise a small business.
Can we host locally? Yes, regional hosting at 150,000-400,000 FCFA/month cuts latency and eases local data compliance.
Let's scope your project. List your current SaaS subscriptions and their monthly cost: we'll compute your 36-month TCO and the tipping point toward custom. 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.
