The verdict in three sentences
For a network of 3 coworking spaces and 220 members in Lomé, a custom booking platform costs FCFA 6,000,000 to 11,000,000 excl. VAT (about EUR 9,150 to 16,770), delivered in 10 weeks. It replaces WhatsApp management with a shared calendar, automatically tracked memberships, monthly company billing and QR code access control. The financial stake is meeting room occupancy: moving from 45% to 70% changes the profitability of every site.
Why WhatsApp stops working beyond one space
With one site and about fifty members, a WhatsApp group and a spreadsheet hold up. With three spaces, for example in the administrative district, Tokoin and Agbalépédogan, problems pile up: double-booked rooms, members using the space without an active plan, company invoices sent late, and no reliable view of occupancy. The manager often spends 2 to 3 hours a day answering messages. The same pattern shows up in coworkings across Dakar, Abidjan and Cotonou.
A dedicated platform lets members book a room or desk themselves, pay with Flooz, T-Money or card, and receive a QR access code. The operator sees in real time what is occupied, what is paid and what remains to be invoiced.
| Module | Function | Indicative 2026 cost (FCFA excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Member area and booking | Calendar per site, rooms, desks, private offices | 1,800,000 to 3,000,000 |
| Membership management | Day, week, month plans, room hour credits | 900,000 to 1,600,000 |
| Mobile and card payment | Flooz, T-Money, bank card, automatic reconciliation | 800,000 to 1,500,000 |
| Monthly company billing | Company accounts, multiple members, consolidated invoice | 700,000 to 1,300,000 |
| QR code access control | Dynamic QR, entrance reader, entry log | 600,000 to 1,400,000 |
| Operator dashboard | Occupancy per room and site, revenue, unpaid items | 700,000 to 1,300,000 |
| Mobile app (PWA) | Booking and QR on phone, low-connectivity mode | 500,000 to 900,000 |
The core version (booking, memberships, payment, dashboard) starts around FCFA 6,000,000. The full version with company billing, QR access and PWA reaches FCFA 11,000,000.
Recurring costs and hardware
Beyond development, budget for hosting, payment fees and QR readers. Mobile money transaction fees run around 1.5% to 2.5% depending on the aggregator.
| Item | 2026 cost | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting and backups | FCFA 45,000 to 90,000/month | Cloud server, daily backup |
| Mobile payment fees | 1.5% to 2.5% per transaction | Via Flooz / T-Money aggregator |
| Confirmation SMS | FCFA 15,000 to 30,000/month | Booking reminders and follow-ups |
| QR readers (3 sites) | FCFA 450,000 to 900,000 one-off | FCFA 150,000 to 300,000 per entrance |
| Evolutive maintenance | FCFA 120,000 to 250,000/month | Fixes, small improvements |
| Monthly total excl. payment fees | FCFA 180,000 to 370,000 | 2026 order of magnitude |
A 10-week delivery
Typical schedule: 2 weeks of scoping and mock-ups, 6 weeks of development in batches (booking first, then memberships and payment, then billing and QR), 2 weeks of acceptance testing on a pilot site before opening the other two. Migrating the 220 existing members from the spreadsheet takes one day with a prepared import.
Mini case study
Edem, operator of 3 coworking spaces in Lomé, manages 220 members and 6 meeting rooms rented at FCFA 5,000 per hour. Each room offers about 220 hours a month (10 hours a day, 22 days). He chooses an FCFA 8,500,000 platform with QR access and company billing, plus FCFA 250,000 a month to run it.
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Calculation: 6 rooms × 220 hours = 1,320 available hours a month. Moving from 45% to 70% occupancy adds 25 points, i.e. 330 more hours sold, so FCFA 1,650,000 in extra monthly revenue. After FCFA 250,000 of running costs, the net gain is FCFA 1,400,000 a month. The project pays back in just over 6 months if the target is reached, and in 12 months if occupancy plateaus at 58%.
FAQ
How much does a coworking booking platform in Lomé cost?
Expect FCFA 6,000,000 to 11,000,000 excl. VAT depending on modules. Running costs then range from FCFA 180,000 to 370,000 a month, excluding payment fees.
Can members pay with Flooz and T-Money?
Yes, through a mobile payment aggregator, at 1.5% to 2.5% per transaction. Bank cards are added for companies and international clients.
How does QR code access control work?
Each member receives a dynamic QR valid only during their membership or booking. A reader at FCFA 150,000 to 300,000 per entrance validates access and logs entries.
Why not a foreign coworking SaaS?
These tools often cost EUR 3 to 8 per member per month, i.e. FCFA 1,300,000 to 3,500,000 a year for 220 members. They rarely support Flooz, T-Money or FCFA invoicing.
How long does it take to launch?
The typical timeline is 10 weeks, pilot-site testing included. A core version can open in 7 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many sites, rooms and members you have: we will price your platform between FCFA 6,000,000 and 11,000,000 excl. VAT, 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.
