The verdict in three sentences
A claims management web app for an Abidjan broker costs 15 to 35 million FCFA excl. tax (about EUR 23,000 to 53,000) in 2026, with a 4 to 5 month timeline. With 12,000 policies tracked in Excel, the main gain is settlement time and the traceability required by the CIMA Code, not just data entry time. The right starting scope: online claims filing, expert-insurer workflow and a deadline dashboard, the rest in phase 2.
What the broker gains by leaving Excel
On a book of 12,000 motor and health policies, an Ivorian broker handles roughly 150 to 250 claims a month. In Excel, every file goes through emails, WhatsApp photos and phone follow-ups with the loss adjuster and the insurer. Yet the CIMA Code sets deadlines (motor settlement within 3 months after agreement, offers within the article 231 deadlines for bodily injury) and the broker must be able to prove its diligence.
| Indicator (2026 order of magnitude) | Excel | Web app |
|---|---|---|
| Data entry and follow-up time per file | 2 h 30 | 50 min |
| Average time from filing to settlement (motor damage) | 75 days | 45 to 50 days |
| Incomplete files at first submission | 40% | 10 to 15% |
| Lost or missing documents | Frequent | Near zero (timestamped storage) |
| Client visibility on progress | Calls to the office | Online tracking and SMS |
| Traceability for a CRCA inspection | Manual reconstruction | Automatic audit log |
Cost per module in FCFA
| Module | Content | Indicative cost excl. tax 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Online claims filing (web and mobile) | Guided form, photos, accident report, documents | 2,500,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA |
| Claims workflow | Statuses, handler assignment, adjuster, insurer, automatic reminders | 4,000,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA |
| Adjuster and insurer portal | Secure access, report upload, approval | 2,500,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA |
| Deadline and SLA dashboard | CIMA alerts, delays per insurer, per handler | 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA |
| SMS and WhatsApp notifications | Acknowledgment, progress, settlement | 800,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA |
| Excel migration and policy system integration | Policy import, history, link to management software | 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA |
| Security, hosting, testing | Roles, encryption, backups, tests | 2,200,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA |
Total: 15 million FCFA for motor and health with a simple workflow, 35 million FCFA with full adjuster and insurer portals, several partner insurers and integration with the policy management software. Hosting and maintenance: 2.5 to 5 million FCFA per year.
Timeline and compliance
| Phase | Duration | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping with claims handlers | 3 weeks | Status mapping per line of business |
| Online filing and workflow | 7 weeks | Reminder rules, CIMA deadlines configured |
| Adjuster and insurer portals | 4 weeks | Access rights per insurer |
| Excel migration and testing | 3 weeks | 12,000 policies imported and checked |
| Pilot on motor, then health | 2 to 3 weeks | Settlement time measured before and after |
On data protection, Ivorian law no. 2013-450 requires a declaration to ARTCI for health data processing. Plan this formality during scoping, along with hosting with encrypted backups.
Mini case study
Yao, CTO of a broker in Abidjan's Plateau district, handles 200 claims a month with 6 handlers. Time per file drops from 2 h 30 to 50 min, so 1 h 40 saved × 200 = 333 hours a month, the equivalent of 2 full-time roles. At a loaded cost of 450,000 FCFA per handler, that is 900,000 FCFA a month, or 10.8 million FCFA a year. For a 24 million FCFA project, payback comes in just over 2 years on productivity alone, faster if shorter settlement times improve policy renewals.
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FAQ
How much does a claims management app cost for a broker in Côte d'Ivoire?
Budget 15 to 35 million FCFA excl. tax depending on lines of business, partner insurers and integrations. Maintenance and hosting add 2.5 to 5 million FCFA a year.
Does the app help comply with the CIMA Code?
Yes, regulatory deadlines are configured and trigger alerts, and every action is timestamped in an audit log. The broker can produce a file's history in seconds during an inspection.
Can policyholders file a claim from their phone?
Yes, through a mobile-optimized web app that works on 3G, with photos compressed automatically. As an order of magnitude, 60 to 70% of motor claims move online after 6 months.
How long until go-live?
Between 4 and 5 months, with a motor pilot before health. A first online filing module can be live in 8 weeks.
Can claims be paid via Wave or Orange Money?
Yes, the app can trigger mobile money payouts via API if the insurer delegates settlement to the broker. Plan an extra 1 to 2 million FCFA for that integration.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your claims volume, lines of business and partner insurers, and we will scope a project between 15 and 35 million FCFA with go-live in 4 to 5 months. 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.
