The verdict in three sentences
An HR agency managing talent pools, mandates and pipeline across scattered Excel files loses on two fronts: time-to-placement stretches and client mandates go cold for lack of follow-up. A custom ATS/CRM in FCFA (pools, mandates, pipeline, temp/placement, billing) costs 8 to 40M FCFA depending on scope, with maintenance of 250,000–550,000 FCFA/month. The return comes from shorter time-to-placement and a higher mandate conversion rate.
ATS/CRM modules and their cost
| Module | Role | Range (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate pool (ATS) | Profiles, CVs, scoring, search | 2,500,000 – 5,000,000 |
| Client & mandate CRM | Accounts, needs, opportunities | 2,500,000 – 5,000,000 |
| Recruitment pipeline | Stages, interviews, follow-ups | 2,500,000 – 5,500,000 |
| Temp & placement | Contracts, scheduling, coefficients | 3,000,000 – 6,500,000 |
| Billing & multi-currency | FCFA/EUR invoices, fees | 2,500,000 – 5,500,000 |
| Client portal | Mandate tracking, profile validation | 2,500,000 – 5,000,000 |
A usable ATS + CRM MVP lands at 8–15M FCFA. The full platform (temp, billing, client portal) reaches 22–40M FCFA, over a 12–18 week timeline.
Custom vs foreign SaaS ATS
| Criterion | Foreign SaaS ATS | Custom ATS/CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | In EUR, per recruiter/month | Built in FCFA, owned |
| Local-market fit | Weak (temp, coefficients) | Native |
| Multi-currency FCFA/EUR | Rare | Built in |
| Custom client portal | Limited | Full |
| Local temp/placement contracts | Not handled | Modelled |
| Recurring cost | €25–90/user/month | 250,000–550,000 FCFA/month |
| Data ownership | Tenant | Owner |
Foreign SaaS ATS tools are billed in EUR and designed for other markets: local temp work, billing coefficients and FCFA/EUR multi-currency are poorly handled. Custom fits the Togolese trade and is paid in FCFA, with no exchange-rate dependency.
Mini case study
Mr Adjovi runs an HR consulting and recruitment agency in Lomé, 12 recruiters, 40 placements/month, average fees of 450,000 FCFA per placement, i.e. 18M FCFA/month billed. His average time-to-placement is 32 days.
With an ATS/CRM structuring the pipeline and automating follow-ups, he cuts time-to-placement to 24 days and lifts placements by 10% (i.e. +4 placements/month = +1.8M FCFA/month). Over the year that is +21.6M FCFA of billing; against a full platform at 30M FCFA + 400,000 FCFA/month maintenance (4.8M/year), the project pays back in under two years.
FAQ
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How much does custom recruitment ATS/CRM software cost in Lomé?
Budget 8–15M FCFA for an ATS + CRM MVP and 22–40M FCFA for a full platform with temp, billing and client portal. Maintenance: 250,000–550,000 FCFA/month.
Why not a foreign SaaS ATS?
They are billed in EUR (€25–90/recruiter/month) and handle local temp work, coefficients and FCFA/EUR multi-currency poorly. Custom fits the Togolese trade and is paid in FCFA.
Does it handle temp work and placement?
Yes: contracts, mandate scheduling, billing coefficients and placement fees are modelled, with invoice generation in FCFA and EUR for international clients.
Can we offer a portal to our clients?
Yes. The client portal lets them track mandate progress, validate profiles and view invoices, cutting email back-and-forth and professionalizing the relationship.
What is the implementation timeline?
An ATS + CRM MVP ships in 12–14 weeks, the full platform in 14–18 weeks, with recruiter training and migration of existing talent pools.
Let's scope your project. Give us your number of recruiters, placement volume and needs (temp, multi-currency, client portal) and we'll frame the MVP and an indicative budget in FCFA. 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.
