The verdict in three sentences
A custom decision dashboard wired to your ERP costs, in 2026, between 4,500,000 and 12,000,000 FCFA (about 7,000-18,500 EUR) for 5 to 9 weeks of work. It replaces hours of spreadsheet assembly with consolidated, real-time KPIs across sales, cash and stock. A BI SaaS licence is cheaper upfront but quickly hits limits on local connectors and per-user costs that stack up.
What a custom dashboard costs in 2026
The budget depends on the number of sources to connect (ERP, POS, bank, files), the KPI volume and the level of real-time you need. Here is a 2026 order-of-magnitude grid.
| Quote line | FCFA range (2026) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping & data model | 600,000 - 1,400,000 | KPI workshops, schema, target metrics |
| ERP/POS/bank connectors | 1,200,000 - 3,500,000 | API, imports, synchronisation |
| Dashboard & visualisations | 1,800,000 - 4,500,000 | Pages, filters, drill-down, alerts |
| Roles & multi-user | 400,000 - 1,200,000 | Permissions, access per entity |
| QA & training | 500,000 - 1,400,000 | Tests, docs, onboarding |
| Project total | 4,500,000 - 12,000,000 | 5 to 9 weeks |
On top of that, budget 250,000 to 600,000 FCFA/month of maintenance (hosting, enhancements, support, connector updates).
Custom build vs BI SaaS licence
Power BI or an equivalent SaaS bills 10 to 20 EUR per user per month (around 6,500 to 13,000 FCFA). Attractive for 3 users, far less so at 25, especially when connectors to a local POS or regional ERP do not exist out of the box.
| Criterion | Custom dashboard | BI SaaS licence |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 4.5 - 12 M FCFA | Low (subscription) |
| Cost at 25 users/year | 250-600 k FCFA/month | ~2,000,000 - 3,900,000 FCFA/year |
| Local connectors | Built, guaranteed | Often missing |
| Latency in region | Optimised (nearby hosting) | Variable, cloud-dependent |
| Data ownership | Full | With the vendor |
| KPI customisation | Unlimited | Limited to model |
| Reversibility | Code delivered | Vendor lock-in |
Hosting matters: a nearby server cuts load latency on mobile connections, a critical point in the region.
Mini case study
Omar, general manager of a 32-person distribution SME in Dubai, spends 40 hours/month consolidating sales and stock in Excel. Internal cost is estimated at 280,000 FCFA/month equivalent. He invests 7,200,000 FCFA in a custom dashboard plus 380,000 FCFA/month maintenance. Time saved: 36 hours/month recovered, reorder decisions made in hours not days. Year-one outlay: 7,200,000 + 4,560,000 = 11,760,000 FCFA; reporting saving: 3,360,000 FCFA/year. The real ROI comes from avoided stockouts and daily cash steering, which Omar values at over 9,000,000 FCFA in the first year.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How long to deliver a usable first dashboard?
Expect 5 to 9 weeks depending on the number of sources. A first version with 3 core KPIs (revenue, cash, stock) can ship in 3 weeks, then grow.
Can it connect to our existing ERP and POS?
Yes. Custom builds exist precisely to connect Odoo, SAP, a local ERP or a POS via API, scheduled imports or webhooks, where SaaS tools lack connectors.
Is real time really necessary?
Not always. Many SMEs are fine with hourly refresh; true real time costs more in infrastructure and is only justified for stock or cash.
What if our needs change?
The code is yours. New KPIs or sources are added through maintenance (250,000 - 600,000 FCFA/month) without paying a new per-user licence.
Do teams need training?
Half a day is enough for end users. Training and documentation are included in the QA line of the quote.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your data sources, user count and top 5 KPIs, and we will price a dashboard in the 4.5 - 12 M FCFA range. 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.
