The verdict in three sentences
For a construction company paying 600 day labourers across 15 sites in cash every week, a custom time tracking web app costs 8 to 16 million FCFA (about 12,000 to 24,000 EUR) in 2026, with a 10-week timeline. Clocking errors, duplicates and ghost workers routinely add up to 3 to 5 % of payroll, which pays for the tool within months. Mobile money payouts also remove cash transport and Saturday queues.
In Dubai, the same scope typically costs 25,000 to 60,000 USD, and payouts go through WPS-compliant bank or exchange house transfers rather than Wave. The logic, the modules and the payback calculation stay the same.
What the app must do on a construction site
A construction site in Abidjan or Dubai is not an office. Network coverage is patchy, foremen sometimes share a single smartphone, and some workers lack up-to-date ID. The app must work offline and stay simple.
| Feature | Description | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| QR code clocking | Laminated badge per worker, scanned by the foreman at arrival and departure | 1.5 to 2.5 M FCFA (2,300 to 3,800 EUR) |
| Face recognition | Check photo compared with enrolment photo, against badge fraud | 2 to 4 M FCFA (3,000 to 6,100 EUR) |
| Offline mode | Clock-ins stored on the phone, synced when network returns | 1.2 to 2 M FCFA (1,800 to 3,000 EUR) |
| Management dashboard | Headcount per site, hours, absences, daily cost | 1 to 2.5 M FCFA (1,500 to 3,800 EUR) |
| Payroll export | Weekly or monthly file for Sage or the payroll provider | 0.6 to 1.5 M FCFA (900 to 2,300 EUR) |
| Mobile money payouts | Bulk payment from a Wave Business account, SMS receipt | 1.2 to 2.5 M FCFA (1,800 to 3,800 EUR) |
| Compliance | Social security registrations, staff register | 0.5 to 1 M FCFA (760 to 1,500 EUR) |
A minimal version (QR code, offline, payroll export) starts around 8 million FCFA. The full version with face recognition and payouts reaches 14 to 16 million FCFA.
Cash, off-the-shelf software or custom
Standard time tracking tools are designed for salaried staff with fixed terminals. They handle weekly payroll, mobile sites and mobile money payouts poorly.
| Criterion | Paper sheets and cash | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Custom app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Almost zero | 0.5 to 2 M FCFA | 8 to 16 M FCFA |
| Recurring cost | Cash transport, 2 to 3 % losses | 1,500 to 4,000 FCFA (2.3 to 6 EUR) per worker per month | 10 to 15 % of project per year |
| Works offline | Yes | Rarely | Yes |
| Weekly day-labourer payroll | Manual | Poorly handled | Native |
| Mobile money payouts | No | No | Yes, about 1 % fees |
| Anti-fraud controls | Weak | Medium | Strong, photo and geolocation |
| Setup time | Immediate | 2 to 4 weeks | 10 weeks |
For 600 workers, a SaaS at 3,000 FCFA per worker per month costs 21.6 million FCFA a year without handling weekly payroll properly. Custom pays for itself before the end of year two on that line alone.
The 10-week project
Weeks 1 and 2: visits to two sites, mapping of pay rules (overtime, site bonuses, deductions), choice between QR code and photo. Weeks 3 to 7: development of the foreman app, offline mode and dashboard. Weeks 8 and 9: pilot on three sites with worker enrolment. Week 10: connection to the payout account, first real pay cycle, training for site managers.
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Yao, administrative director of a construction company in Abidjan, pays 600 day labourers 6,500 FCFA a day, 6 days a week. Payroll reaches 23.4 million FCFA a week, about 1.2 billion FCFA a year. A cautious 3 % recovery on errors and duplicates represents 36.5 million FCFA a year. Wave payouts cost about 1 % of amounts paid, or 12 million FCFA, but replace cash transport and losses estimated at 2 % in his company. For a 13 million FCFA app (about 19,800 EUR), payback comes in under 5 months.
FAQ
How much does a construction time tracking app cost?
From 8 million FCFA (12,000 EUR) for an offline QR code version with payroll export, to 16 million FCFA (24,000 EUR) with face recognition, an advanced dashboard and payouts. In Dubai, expect 25,000 to 60,000 USD.
Does the app work without network?
Yes, clock-ins are stored on the phone and synced when 3G or 4G returns. A site can stay offline for several days without data loss.
Do all workers need a mobile money account?
No, though 80 to 90 % of workers in Abidjan already have Wave in 2026. Others can be paid in cash from the same payroll file with the same traceability.
Is face recognition legal?
In Côte d'Ivoire it requires worker consent and a declaration to the ARTCI under the 2013 data protection law. In the UAE, the 2021 federal data protection law applies. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for these steps.
What payroll savings can we expect?
Construction firms routinely recover 3 to 5 % of day-labour payroll, a 2026 estimate, by removing duplicates, inflated hours and fictitious workers.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of workers, sites and your current pay method, and we will price a time tracking app delivered in 10 weeks. 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.
