The verdict in three sentences
A Starter store (up to 50 products, Wave + Orange Money checkout) costs 1 000 000 to 1 500 000 FCFA in Lagos in 2026. A Growth tier with unlimited catalog and Stripe sits between 2 000 000 and 3 000 000 FCFA, and a Premium build (PWA, loyalty, AI) climbs to 4 000 000-6 000 000 FCFA. On top of that comes maintenance of 50 000 to 200 000 FCFA/month that too many merchants leave out of their budget.
The 2026 price grid by tier
Price mainly depends on the number of features and payment gateways. Here is the reference grid (2026 order of magnitude for Lagos):
| Tier | Price FCFA | Price EUR | Products | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 000 000 - 1 500 000 | 1 525 - 2 285 € | Up to 50 | Wave + Orange Money |
| Growth | 2 000 000 - 3 000 000 | 3 050 - 4 570 € | Unlimited | Wave + OM + Stripe + Free Money |
| Premium | 4 000 000 - 6 000 000 | 6 100 - 9 150 € | Unlimited + variants | All + multi-currency |
Moving from Starter to Growth makes sense as soon as you exceed 50 SKUs or target international customers paying by card via Stripe.
What each tier really includes
Beyond price, features create the value. Concrete comparison:
| Feature | Starter | Growth | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimized mobile checkout | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orders dashboard | Yes | Yes + analytics | Yes + AI |
| Promo codes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Reviews, wishlist | No | Yes | Yes |
| Stock management + alerts | Basic | Advanced | Real-time |
| PWA (mobile app) | No | No | Yes |
| Loyalty program | No | No | Yes |
| Included support | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months |
The recurring costs not to forget
Development is a one-off cost, but the store lives on. Budget each month for:
| Item | Monthly range FCFA |
|---|---|
| Technical maintenance | 50 000 - 200 000 |
| Managed hosting | 25 000 - 75 000 |
| SEO (optional) | 75 000 - 300 000 |
| Payment fees (per transaction) | 1 to 3 % of revenue |
A realistic Growth store therefore costs about 100 000 to 275 000 FCFA/month to run properly, excluding advertising.
Mini case study
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Adjoua, who runs a cosmetics shop in Lagos, sells 40 SKUs. She picks a Starter tier at 1 300 000 FCFA with Wave + Orange Money. Her maintenance is 80 000 FCFA/month and hosting 40 000 FCFA/month, for 120 000 FCFA/month. With an average basket of 18 000 FCFA and 90 orders/month, she takes in 1 620 000 FCFA in monthly revenue; payment fees (2 %) cost her 32 400 FCFA. Her store pays for itself in just under one month of revenue.
FAQ
What is the minimum price for a real online store in Lagos in 2026?
Budget at least 1 000 000 FCFA for a serious Starter tier with Wave and Orange Money. Below that, you often get a plain catalog with no reliable payment.
Why does a Growth store cost twice as much as a Starter?
Growth adds an unlimited catalog, Stripe for international sales, promo codes, customer reviews and an analytics dashboard. These modules represent 2 000 000 to 3 000 000 FCFA of extra development.
Is monthly maintenance really mandatory?
Yes, budget 50 000 to 200 000 FCFA/month. It covers security updates, fixes and support; without it, a store degrades within months.
How much are mobile money payment fees?
About 1 to 3 % per transaction depending on the operator. On 1 000 000 FCFA in sales, that is 10 000 to 30 000 FCFA to factor into your margin.
Can you start on Starter then upgrade to Premium?
Yes, that is the healthiest strategy. A well-designed architecture lets you migrate without rebuilding everything; plan the upgrade budget when you pass 300 orders/month.
Let's talk about your project. Get a personalized price grid for your Lagos store within 48 hours. 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.