The verdict in three sentences
In 2026 in Cote d'Ivoire, custom business software for an SME costs between 6 and 25 million FCFA (roughly 9,000-38,000 EUR) depending on scope, delivered in 3 to 7 months after proper discovery. The decision is not "SaaS or custom" in the abstract, but how many hours and errors your current processes cost you versus the price of a tool built for you. Well-scoped software typically frees 8 to 15 hours a week of manual work, which reshapes the project's economics.
Off-the-shelf SaaS vs custom: the real trade-off
SaaS is fast and cheap to start but bends you to its limits and bills per user forever. Custom costs more upfront but you own it and it fits your processes.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 - 2 M FCFA | 6,000,000 - 25,000,000 FCFA |
| Recurring cost | 5,000 - 20,000 FCFA/user/month | 120,000 - 400,000 FCFA/month (maint.) |
| Setup time | 2-6 weeks | 3-7 months |
| Fit to processes | Low to medium | Total |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Wave/OM, stock integration | Limited | Native |
Simple rule: below 8-10 users with standard processes, SaaS wins. Above that, or whenever your processes are a competitive edge, custom becomes profitable.
What you pay for in a custom quote
A credible quote in Abidjan breaks down the phases. Here is a typical split and the expected hours saved per module.
| Phase / module | Budget share | Timeline | Hours saved/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery + specs | 10-15 % | 2-4 weeks | - |
| UX/UI design | 10-15 % | 2-3 weeks | - |
| Core development | 45-55 % | 8-16 weeks | 5-8 h |
| Integrations (stock, payment) | 15-20 % | 3-6 weeks | 2-4 h |
| QA + training | 10-15 % | 2-3 weeks | 1-3 h |
Always require a separately billed discovery phase: it is the document that locks scope, budget and schedule. A vendor who skips it is selling a number, not a project.
Mini case study
Koffi runs an electrical-supply distribution SME in Abidjan, 14 employees. Orders and stock live in Excel and WhatsApp, with frequent stockouts and billing errors. He invests 11 M FCFA in business software (orders, stock, invoicing, dashboard) plus 250,000 FCFA/month maintenance.
Calculation: the tool frees 12 h/week across 3 people, an avoided labour cost of about 480,000 FCFA/month; it also cuts billing errors by 900,000 FCFA/year. Annual gain = (480,000 x 12) + 900,000 = 6.66 M FCFA; annual cost = 11 M + (250,000 x 12) = 14 M in year 1, then 3 M/year. Payback from year 2, with an asset he owns.
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FAQ
What does custom business software cost in Cote d'Ivoire in 2026?
Between 6 and 25 million FCFA depending on modules and integrations. A first useful scope (MVP) often fits between 6 and 12 M FCFA.
What timeline should I expect?
Budget 3 to 7 months from discovery to production. An MVP focused on a single core function can ship in 8-12 weeks.
How much is maintenance after delivery?
Maintenance of 120,000 to 400,000 FCFA/month covers fixes, enhancements and hosting. Without it, the tool degrades and becomes risky within a year.
SaaS or custom for a 15-person SME?
Once your processes are an edge or you exceed 8-10 users, custom becomes more profitable over 3 years. Below that, a well-chosen SaaS often suffices.
How do I keep the budget from drifting?
Require a billed discovery that locks scope, schedule and price, and development in delivered, accepted increments. It is the best guardrail against overruns.
Let's scope your project. Describe your current processes, user count and indicative FCFA budget: we propose a costed discovery and MVP. 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.
