The verdict in three sentences
A custom business platform in Dublin costs between FCFA 8,000,000 (single-process internal tool) and FCFA 45,000,000 (multi-module platform with roles, workflow and integrations). Before building, you must decide between custom-built, no-code and vertical SaaS: each has a very different total cost and flexibility. Expect 10 to 24 weeks of delivery and a maintenance budget of 12 to 20 % of the initial cost per year.
Cost grid by platform scope (Dublin, 2026)
A business platform replaces your Excel files and manual processes with a single tool. Here are the 2026 ranges in FCFA.
| Level | Scope | 2026 range (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 1 process, 2-3 roles | 8,000,000 - 14,000,000 | 10-14 wks |
| Standard | 3-4 modules, workflow | 15,000,000 - 28,000,000 | 14-20 wks |
| Advanced | multi-module + integrations | 30,000,000 - 45,000,000 | 20-24 wks |
Most SMEs start at Essential or Standard level, then extend the platform module by module once adoption is proven.
Custom vs no-code vs vertical SaaS
The choice of approach determines your 3-year cost and your autonomy. 2026 comparison.
| Criterion | Custom-built | No-code | Vertical SaaS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost (FCFA) | 8,000,000 - 45,000,000 | 2,000,000 - 8,000,000 | 0 - 3,000,000 |
| Monthly cost (FCFA) | hosting 50,000 - 200,000 | license 150,000 - 500,000 | subscription 100,000 - 600,000 |
| Code ownership | Full | None | None |
| Business flexibility | Unlimited | Limited | Rigid |
| Suited if | specific process | standard need | mature market |
2026 rule: no-code is excellent for testing a process below FCFA 8,000,000, but its monthly license cost eventually exceeds custom-built beyond 3 years if usage is intensive.
Maintenance and total cost of ownership over 3 years
A business platform lives and evolves. Maintenance covers fixes, evolutions and support.
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| Item | Standard (FCFA/yr) | Advanced (FCFA/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting + backups | 600,000 - 1,500,000 | 1,800,000 - 3,600,000 |
| Corrective maintenance | 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 | 3,500,000 - 6,000,000 |
| Evolutions (new modules) | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 - 12,000,000 |
Over 3 years, a Standard platform delivered at FCFA 22,000,000 comes to FCFA 35,000,000 - 45,000,000 all-in. Budgeting maintenance from the start prevents the tool becoming obsolete.
Mini case study
Koffi runs a logistics company in Dublin, 35 employees, tracking shipments across 6 shared Excel files. Data-entry errors and duplicates cost about 18 hours/week of rework, i.e. FCFA 3,500/loaded hour = FCFA 63,000/week, plus 4 lost deliveries/month at FCFA 80,000 each.
He invests FCFA 19,500,000 in a Standard platform (shipment tracking, roles, alerts, dashboard). Rework drops 80 % (i.e. FCFA 50,400/week saved, FCFA 2,620,000/yr) and lost deliveries fall to zero (FCFA 3,840,000/yr). Annual saving: FCFA 6,460,000, payback in 3 years excluding growth and customer-satisfaction gains.
FAQ
What minimum budget for a business platform in Dublin? Expect FCFA 8,000,000 for a custom single-process internal tool. To test a standard need at lower cost, no-code starts at FCFA 2,000,000 but with monthly licenses.
Custom or no-code: how to choose? No-code suits a standard process where you accept a monthly license. Custom-built becomes necessary as soon as your business has specific rules and you want to own the code.
What timeline to deliver a business platform? From 10-14 weeks for an Essential level to 20-24 weeks for an advanced platform with integrations. Scoping represents 15 to 20 % of total timeline.
How much is annual maintenance? Between 12 and 20 % of initial cost per year, i.e. FCFA 2,500,000 to 9,000,000/yr depending on scope, hosting included. It is essential to maintain security and scalability.
Can the platform integrate with our existing tools? Yes, if your tools expose an API. Each connector costs FCFA 1,500,000 to 5,000,000. Without an API, you go through scheduled export/import, cheaper but not real-time.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the processes to digitise, your indicative budget and deadline: we scope an Essential, Standard or Advanced platform. 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.
