The verdict in three sentences
A custom web app in Dakar costs between 8,000,000 FCFA (business MVP) and 35,000,000 FCFA (complex multi-role platform) in 2026, over 3 to 6 months. The local day rate runs from 90,000 to 180,000 FCFA depending on seniority, two to three times cheaper than a comparable European team. The real cost lands after launch: budget 15 to 20% of the initial build per year for maintenance and evolutions.
What each module costs in 2026
A serious quote reads line by line. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude observed on the Senegalese market for a business web app.
| Module | Typical scope | 2026 cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping & specs | Workshops, backlog, wireframes | 800,000 - 2,000,000 |
| UI/UX design | Style guide, key screens, prototype | 1,500,000 - 4,000,000 |
| Auth & roles | Accounts, permissions, SSO | 1,200,000 - 3,000,000 |
| Business core (CRUD, workflows) | Main management modules | 3,000,000 - 12,000,000 |
| Dashboard & reporting | KPIs, exports, filters | 1,500,000 - 5,000,000 |
| Wave/OM payment integration | Checkout, webhooks, reconciliation | 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 |
| Testing & QA | Automated tests, fixes, UAT | 1,000,000 - 4,000,000 |
| Deployment & training | Go-live, docs, training | 800,000 - 2,500,000 |
Add the lines up and you naturally land in the 8-35 million range. An MVP limits itself to scoping, auth, a reduced business core and a simple deployment.
Local team, offshore or agency: which model
Day rate isn't everything: coordination, warranty and proximity matter as much as the daily figure.
| Model | 2026 day rate (FCFA) | Advantage | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Dakar freelancer | 90,000 - 140,000 | Controlled cost, proximity | Single-person dependency |
| Senegalese agency | 120,000 - 180,000 | Warranty, full team | Higher price |
| Offshore (India, Maghreb) | 70,000 - 130,000 | Volume, speed | Time zone, variable quality |
| Remote European freelancer | 250,000 - 450,000 | Sharp expertise | 2-3x budget |
For a critical project with a results commitment, the local agency stays the best trade-off in 2026: a single point of contact, a contractual warranty and knowledge of African mobile payments.
Hosting, maintenance and financing
Managed cloud hosting for a business app runs around 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA/month depending on traffic. Annual maintenance (fixes, security, small evolutions) represents 15 to 20% of the build cost, i.e. 1.2 to 7 million FCFA/year for a mid-size project. On financing, many SMEs spread payment over 3 to 4 milestone-based instalments (scoping, beta, QA, go-live) to smooth cash flow.
Mini case study
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Abdou, who runs a distribution company in Dakar, wants to replace his Excel files with an order and stock management app. Scope: auth, catalogue, orders, stock, dashboard, Wave payment. 2026 quote: 14,500,000 FCFA, 4 months, local agency team. Maintenance: 2,400,000 FCFA/year. By removing 2 manual re-entries per day and 3% stock losses (order-of-magnitude estimate), Abdou saves roughly 9,000,000 FCFA/year: the app pays for itself in under 20 months.
FAQ
What minimum budget do I need to start?
Budget at least 8,000,000 FCFA for a business MVP usable in production. Below that you're talking about a prototype or a temporary no-code tool, rarely a durable custom app.
Why an 8-to-35-million gap?
The number of roles, workflow complexity, integrations (payment, ERP, SMS) and design level swing the budget by a factor of four. Scoping exists precisely to fix that perimeter.
How long does development take?
Between 3 and 6 months for most business projects in Dakar. A very focused MVP can ship in 8 to 10 weeks; a multi-role platform often needs 6 months or more.
Is mobile payment included?
Wave and Orange Money integration represents 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA depending on reconciliation and webhooks. It's a line to price from scoping since it shapes the checkout.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, most serious providers spread payment over 3 to 4 milestone-based instalments. It protects both client and provider and smooths cash flow.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your modules, your indicative budget (8-35M FCFA range) and your target timeline, and we'll propose a costed perimeter. 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.
