The verdict in three sentences
On a contract funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank or AFD, evaluators and prospective consortium partners check your real capacity before they even open your technical bid. A website listing 35 project references with contract values, clients, funders and downloadable completion certificates becomes a pre-qualification and joint venture asset. For a 300-employee civil engineering firm in Abidjan, the Kolonell budget ranges from 800,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA (1,220 to 5,340 EUR) by tier, with a 6 to 9 week timeline.
What funders and joint venture partners check
International tender documents require proof of similar experience: number of contracts of comparable nature and size over five to ten years, average annual turnover, equipment and key staff. These documents go into the bid, but upstream several parties visit your site: a foreign contractor looking for an Ivorian joint venture partner, the supervising engineer, or the project implementation unit checking that a reference actually exists.
| Visitor | What they look for | Content to publish | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign contractor (joint venture) | Capacity, equipment, similar references | Project sheets filterable by type and value | Page + English PDF |
| Project implementation unit | Existence and quality of references | Client, funder, value, year, dated photos | Project sheet |
| Supervising engineer | Quality and safety organisation | HSE policy, certifications, accident frequency rate | Dedicated page |
| Bank or bond insurer | Financial strength | 3-year key figures, headcount | Company page |
| Engineering candidate | Projects and prospects | Job offers, career paths | Careers page |
| Private client | Timelines and track record | Before/after gallery, deadlines met | Portfolio |
The key is a standardised project sheet. Every reference uses the same template: title, location, client, funding (IDA, AfDB, AFD, state budget), value excluding tax, role (lead or consortium member), dates, technical description in quantities (km of road, m3 of concrete, bridges and culverts), photos and a PDF certificate.
Site structure and tiers
Thirty-five references with filters by structure type, value and funder require a structured website, not a single portfolio page. Languages are set in the quote: an English version is essential for AfDB and World Bank work, but its scope (every sheet or only the main ones) is decided during scoping.
| Item | Starter | Growth | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell budget | 800,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA (1,220 to 1,830 EUR) | 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA (1,830 to 3,050 EUR) | 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA (3,050 to 5,340 EUR) |
| Project references | 10 to 15 static sheets | 35 filterable sheets | 35 sheets + interactive map + PDF export |
| Downloadable certificates | No | Yes | Yes, with optional gated access |
| HSE and equipment pages | One page | Detailed pages | Pages + filterable equipment fleet |
| Site news | No | Blog | Blog + partner newsletter |
| Indicative timeline | 6 weeks | 7 to 8 weeks | 8 to 9 weeks |
For 35 references and downloads, Growth is the realistic minimum; Premium adds a project map and PDF export of a selection of references, handy for assembling a joint venture file in ten minutes. Monthly maintenance runs from 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA (53 to 183 EUR) depending on the plan, to add each newly handed-over project.
Mistakes that cost contracts
First mistake: photos with no date or location that an evaluator cannot link to any contract. Second: missing values or values rounded to the extreme, when experience criteria are stated in precise amounts. Third: a slow site loaded with heavy videos, opened on 3G from a construction site by a supervising engineer. Aim for project pages under 1.5 MB and WebP images.
Confidentiality matters too: some clients do not allow contract values to be published. Plan an amount available on request field and gated access for sensitive certificates.
Mini case study
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Mr Kouassi, managing director of a 300-employee civil engineering contractor in Abidjan, chooses a Premium website at 3,200,000 FCFA with Standard maintenance at 75,000 FCFA a month. First-year cost: 3,200,000 + 12 × 75,000 = 4,100,000 FCFA (about 6,250 EUR).
The firm bids on 12 international tenders a year. If the site helps it join just one extra consortium on a 2 billion FCFA lot, with a 30% share and a 6% net margin, the gain is 2 bn × 30% × 6% = 36,000,000 FCFA. A single successful bid repays the website almost nine times over.
FAQ
Can we publish public contract values?
Donor-funded contracts are subject to public award notices, so values are usually already public. For private contracts, ask the client's consent or show on request.
How long does it take to gather 35 references?
Allow 2 to 3 weeks on your side to collect sheets, photos and certificates. The overall project still takes 6 to 9 weeks if that content arrives mid-way.
Is the English version mandatory?
For World Bank and AfDB work it is very useful, since many evaluators and consortium partners are English speakers. At Kolonell, languages are set in the quote.
Should access to certificates be gated?
It is recommended for signed documents: on-request access through a form prevents misuse and gives you a qualified contact with each download.
Which tier fits a 300-employee firm?
Growth covers 35 filterable sheets and downloads. Premium, from 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA, adds the project map and PDF export.
Let's scope your project. We design the project sheet template, the English version and a 6 to 9 week launch plan with you. 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.
