The verdict in three sentences
For a Dakar B2B company, the stack choice sits between managed WordPress (2,500,000-4,500,000 FCFA) and a Next.js headless front (5,000,000-9,000,000 FCFA). When most visitors browse on 3G, performance is not a luxury: an optimised headless site loads in under 2 seconds where a heavy WordPress exceeds 6 seconds and loses prospects. Plan for 6 to 10 weeks and monthly maintenance of 150,000 to 350,000 FCFA budgeted from the start.
Budget by stack in FCFA (2026)
A decision maker needs local numbers, not converted European ranges. Here are the costs observed in the Senegalese market in 2026 (approx. €1 = 655 FCFA).
| Line item | Managed WordPress | Headless Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Site build | 2,500,000 - 4,500,000 FCFA | 5,000,000 - 9,000,000 FCFA |
| Bespoke UI design | Included (premium theme) | 1,200,000 - 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Monthly maintenance | 150,000 - 250,000 FCFA | 250,000 - 350,000 FCFA |
| Hosting + CDN / month | 45,000 - 70,000 FCFA | 60,000 - 90,000 FCFA |
| Delivery timeline | 6 - 8 weeks | 8 - 10 weeks |
| 3G load time | 4 - 6 s | 1.5 - 2.5 s |
The headless premium (about 2,500,000 FCFA / €3,800) pays off quickly if your traffic is mobile and each B2B lead is worth millions of FCFA in contract value.
3G performance: why the CDN changes everything
In the West African market, speed directly drives bounce rate. Here is the measured impact of a 3G-oriented optimisation.
| Indicator | Unoptimised site | 3G + CDN optimised site |
|---|---|---|
| Load time (3G) | 6.2 s | 1.9 s |
| Homepage weight | 3.8 MB | 0.9 MB |
| Mobile bounce rate | 68 % | 41 % |
| Images | Uncompressed JPG | WebP/AVIF + lazy load |
| Monthly CDN cost | 0 FCFA | 25,000 - 45,000 FCFA |
| Contact requests / month | 6 | 14 |
A CDN at 45,000 FCFA/month that doubles contact requests is one of the best cost/impact ratios of an African B2B site.
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Mini case study
Mr Sow, managing director of a B2B import-export company in Dakar (40 staff), is torn between the two stacks. His current site loads in 6.2 s and generates 6 requests/month. He picks a Next.js headless build at 6,500,000 FCFA with a CDN at 45,000 FCFA/month and maintenance at 300,000 FCFA/month. After 3G optimisation, the site loads in 1.9 s and rises to 14 requests/month. With an average contract of 4,000,000 FCFA and a 10 % conversion rate, he signs roughly one extra contract per month: the investment is covered by the second month of operation.
FAQ
WordPress or headless for a Dakar B2B? Managed WordPress suffices for an editorial site with a frequent blog and a tight budget. Headless wins as soon as 3G performance and premium image are strategic to convert key-account prospects.
Why should 3G guide the technical choice? Because most African B2B visitors browse on mobile over constrained networks. A heavy site loses 60 % of visitors before rendering; an optimised one keeps them.
What does maintenance really cost? Between 150,000 and 350,000 FCFA/month depending on stack and service level (updates, security, backups, minor changes). Budget it at quote stage, not after.
Can I pay in instalments? Yes, most agencies offer a deposit / mid-project / delivery schedule suited to a Senegalese SME's cash flow.
Is a French-speaking Dakar agency cheaper than Europe? Yes — for an international decision maker, delegating to Dakar cuts cost 40-55 % versus European day rates at equal quality and native French (2026 order of magnitude).
Let's scope your project. 3G-optimised premium B2B website, WordPress or headless, indicative budget 2,500,000-9,000,000 FCFA, delivery within 6-10 weeks. 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.