The verdict in three sentences
A custom business web app in Lagos costs between 3,000,000 and 12,000,000 FCFA in 2026, depending on the number of modules, integration depth, and whether an offline mode is required. A useful MVP ships in 3 to 4 months at a local day rate of 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA, followed by hosting of 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA per month. The real return comes from eliminated re-keying: an SME that removes 15 to 20 hours of manual data entry per week pays the tool back in under a year.
What the budget covers: modules and FCFA ranges
The price of a business app is not a flat fee but a function of scope. Here are the main blocks and their 2026 orders of magnitude for the market.
| Module | FCFA range | Indicative delay |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication + user roles | 400,000 – 900,000 | 2 – 3 weeks |
| Dashboard + reporting | 800,000 – 1,800,000 | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Business data management (full CRUD) | 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 | 4 – 6 weeks |
| Offline mode (field teams) | 1,200,000 – 3,000,000 | 4 – 7 weeks |
| Mobile payment integration | 600,000 – 1,500,000 | 2 – 4 weeks |
| SMS / email notifications | 400,000 – 1,000,000 | 1 – 3 weeks |
| Mobile app (PWA) | 1,500,000 – 3,500,000 | 5 – 8 weeks |
A "Starter" scope (auth, one business module, a simple dashboard) fits within 3,000,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA. A "full" scope with offline mode, mobile payment, and a PWA climbs toward 9,000,000 to 12,000,000 FCFA.
The recurring costs to anticipate
Development is only part of the total cost of ownership. In 2026, plan for these monthly and annual line items.
| Item | Monthly FCFA | Annual FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| Managed hosting (SME traffic) | 50,000 – 200,000 | 600,000 – 2,400,000 |
| Corrective maintenance + security | 75,000 – 250,000 | 900,000 – 3,000,000 |
| Domain + SSL + monitoring | 10,000 – 30,000 | 120,000 – 360,000 |
| Evolutions (small monthly batch) | 100,000 – 400,000 | 1,200,000 – 4,800,000 |
So budget an operating cost of 235,000 to 880,000 FCFA per month once the app is in production, adjusted to your appetite for new features.
Mini case study
Mr. Okonkwo runs an agri-food distribution SME in Lagos, 28 staff. His field reps record orders on paper, then two assistants re-key everything: about 18 hours per week of double entry. At a loaded cost of 2,200 FCFA per hour, that is 39,600 FCFA per week, or nearly 1,900,000 FCFA per year of unproductive time, errors aside.
He orders a business app with an orders module, offline mode for the field, and a tracking dashboard: 6,200,000 FCFA, delivered in 3.5 months, plus 180,000 FCFA/month in running costs. The app removes 80% of the re-keying, i.e. ~1,520,000 FCFA in direct annual savings, and makes stock reliable. Payback around month 15, before even counting fewer delivery errors.
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FAQ
How long for a first usable MVP?
Expect 3 to 4 months for a single-core-module MVP, tested and in production. Multi-module projects with offline and payment run 5 to 7 months.
Custom or an existing SaaS?
If a SaaS covers 80% of your need, take it. Custom is justified when your process is a competitive edge or no tool handles your specificity, from 3,000,000 FCFA.
Is offline mode really necessary?
For field teams in unstable-connectivity zones, yes: it prevents data loss and sometimes doubles productivity. It adds 1,200,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA to the budget.
Who owns the code and data?
Require full source-code assignment and free data export in the contract. With Kolonell, the code and database are yours, with no proprietary lock-in.
Can we pay in phases?
Yes, the 2026 norm is 30% at kickoff, 40% at midpoint, 30% on delivery, aligning cash flow with delivered milestones.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target modules, indicative budget (3 to 12M FCFA), and deadline; we'll frame the most profitable 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.
