The verdict in three sentences
Delivery aggregators (Chowdeck, Sendbox) are perfect to start: zero investment, instant coverage. But their commission — 15-30% or 1,500-3,000 FCFA per trip — eats margin as soon as volume rises. Past a threshold of trips per day, an in-house rider becomes cheaper and hands you control of the customer experience.
Cost per delivery by model
The right model depends on your volume and your zone. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a standard urban trip.
| Model | Cost per trip | Setup | Experience control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregator (% commission) | 15-30% of basket | instant | low |
| Aggregator (flat fee) | 1,500-3,000 FCFA | instant | low |
| In-house rider (motorbike) | 500-900 FCFA* | 2-4 weeks | high |
| Dedicated freelance rider | 800-1,500 FCFA | 1-2 weeks | medium |
*In-house cost per trip = (salary + fuel + maintenance) ÷ trips per month. At 200,000 FCFA/month for 300 trips, that's about 700 FCFA per trip.
The break-even: when to switch?
The question isn't "aggregator or in-house" in the abstract, but "at how many trips per day does in-house become profitable". Let's compare an in-house rider at 200,000 FCFA/month (motorbike + fuel included) to a 2,000 FCFA/trip aggregator fee.
| Trips/day | Aggregator cost/month | In-house rider cost/month | Winning model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (150/month) | 300,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | in-house, just |
| 8 (240/month) | 480,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | in-house, clearly |
| 3 (90/month) | 180,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | aggregator |
| 12 (360/month) | 720,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA + 2nd rider | in-house, by far |
The break-even sits around 4-5 trips per day in this scenario. Below it, the aggregator stays smarter; above it, in-house frees margin on every order.
The hybrid model, often optimal
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Few stores pick one or the other at 100%. The winning 2026 model is often hybrid: one or two in-house riders cover dense, recurring zones (control, low cost), while the aggregator absorbs peaks and far zones (flexibility, coverage). You wire both to the same order webhook to keep unified tracking and consistent status notifications.
Mini case study
Tunde runs a prepared-meals store in Lagos and delivers 9 trips/day, i.e. 270/month. Via aggregator at 2,000 FCFA per trip, he pays 540,000 FCFA/month. He hires an in-house motorbike rider for 210,000 FCFA/month all-in, able to absorb 8 trips/day; the aggregator now only handles overflow (1 trip/day, 60,000 FCFA/month). New total cost: 270,000 FCFA/month. Saving: 270,000 FCFA/month, plus better control of timing and packaging.
FAQ
What commission do aggregators take in 2026? As an order of magnitude, 15-30% of the basket or a flat fee of 1,500-3,000 FCFA per trip depending on city and distance.
How much does an in-house rider cost? Budget 150,000-250,000 FCFA/month including salary, motorbike, fuel and maintenance — about 500-900 FCFA per trip at good volume.
When should I switch to in-house? Around 4-5 trips per day assuming a 2,000 FCFA aggregator fee; above that, in-house becomes clearly more profitable.
Should I fully internalize? Rarely. The hybrid model — in-house for dense zones, aggregator for peaks and far zones — offers the best cost/coverage balance.
How do I keep unified tracking? By wiring every delivery mode to the same order webhook, for consistent status notifications regardless of the rider.
Let's talk about your project. We compute your delivery break-even and wire unified tracking into your store. 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.
