The verdict in three sentences
A legal firm handling debt recovery loses its margin in manual chasing and fragmented tracking. A custom tool at 7,000,000-18,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 10,700-27,400) industrialises chasing and makes every collection visible in real time. The return is measurable: +15 to +30 % recovery rate, often enough to amortise the tool in under two years.
Custom or generic solution: the FCFA comparison
A generic solution manages tasks; a custom build fits your recovery process: fee schedule, amicable and judicial phases, principal reporting.
| Criterion | Custom (Abidjan) | Generic solution |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 7,000,000-18,000,000 FCFA | low to medium |
| Monthly cost | maintenance 250,000-700,000 FCFA | 20,000-40,000 FCFA/user |
| Automated chasing | scripted (SMS, email) | basic |
| Amicable/judicial phases | modelled | rarely |
| Collections dashboard | real time | limited |
| Principal client reporting | custom | standard |
| Code ownership | you | no |
Over 5 years, a generic solution at 30,000 FCFA/user for 6 users represents about 10,800,000 FCFA in licences, with no ownership or fit to local recovery. The custom build becomes an asset.
Where the recovery rate is won
The gain comes not from one more reminder but from a reminder at the right time, on the right channel, without misses, with quantified steering.
| Lever | Before | After tooling |
|---|---|---|
| Reminders triggered | manual, irregular | automated, scripted |
| Average collection delay | 60-120 days | 30-60 days |
| Matters without chasing | 20-40 % | < 5 % |
| Portfolio visibility | spreadsheet | live dashboard |
| Recovery rate | baseline | +15 to +30 % |
| Principal reporting | manual | automated |
A firm managing 500,000,000 FCFA of entrusted receivables that improves recovery by 20 % collects roughly 100,000,000 FCFA more, part of which returns to the firm as fees.
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Mini case study
Mr. Kouassi runs a firm in Abidjan managing a 400,000,000 FCFA receivables portfolio, with average fees of 12 %. His recovery rate is stuck at 55 %, i.e. 220,000,000 FCFA collected and 26,400,000 FCFA in fees. A custom tool at 13,000,000 FCFA (plus 400,000 FCFA/month maintenance) lifting recovery to 70 % generates 280,000,000 FCFA collected, i.e. 33,600,000 FCFA in fees: a gain of 7,200,000 FCFA in year one. The investment amortises in about two years, and the surplus compounds thereafter.
FAQ
How much does a custom recovery tool cost in Abidjan? In 2026, expect 7,000,000 to 18,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 10,700-27,400) depending on scope (chasing, matter tracking, dashboard, principal reporting).
What is the development time? As an order of magnitude, 4 to 6 months, with interim releases to test chasing and dashboard along the way.
What recovery gain can be expected? With automated chasing and real-time steering, expect +15 to +30 % recovery rate, the direct impact being on cash flow and fees.
How much is maintenance? Budget 250,000 to 700,000 FCFA/month depending on support, enhancements and hosting.
Does automated chasing use SMS? Yes: scenarios combine SMS, email and calendar reminders, triggered automatically according to the amicable or judicial phase of the matter.
Let's scope your project. Share your receivables volume, your chasing channels and your principal reporting needs, with 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.
