The verdict in three sentences
A single flat fee is simple but wrong: it loses money on far zones and scares off nearby customers. A zone-and-weight grid (3 to 5 zones, base 1,000 to 3,000 FCFA, +500 FCFA/kg tier) targets a break-even delivery margin — you don't profit on delivery, but you don't lose either. Predictable fees shown early cut cart abandonment by about 15 %.
Single flat fee vs zone grid
The single flat fee is understood in a second, but it lies about real cost. The downtown customer subsidizes the outskirts customer, or vice versa. The zone grid reflects distance and weight, protecting margin without surprising the customer at checkout.
| Criterion | Single flat fee | Zone / weight grid |
|---|---|---|
| Base, near zone | 2,000 FCFA | 1,000 FCFA |
| Base, far zone | 2,000 FCFA | 3,000 FCFA |
| Weight tier | none | +500 FCFA/kg above 5 kg |
| Delivery margin | often negative | break-even |
| Nearby customer perception | too expensive | fair |
| Cart abandonment | high | -15 % |
The zone grid isn't harder for the customer: they enter their neighborhood, the site shows the fee. The complexity sits on the management side, and an order module handles it automatically.
Zones, tiers and free-shipping threshold
Splitting into 3 to 5 zones is enough for a city like Nairobi. Add a weight tier for bulky parcels and a free-shipping threshold (25,000 to 50,000 FCFA) that pushes average basket up without sacrificing margin.
| Zone | Typical perimeter | 2026 base fee |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | city center | 1,000 FCFA |
| Zone 2 | nearby areas | 1,500 FCFA |
| Zone 3 | outskirts | 2,000 FCFA |
| Zone 4 | greater suburbs | 2,500 FCFA |
| Zone 5 | urban edges | 3,000 FCFA |
| Weight tier | above 5 kg | +500 FCFA/kg |
| Free threshold | basket > 40,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
Mini case study
Fatou sells textiles in Nairobi, average basket 18,000 FCFA, 250 orders/month. On a single flat fee of 2,000 FCFA, she loses 800 FCFA on each far parcel (40 % of orders = 100 parcels) = 80,000 FCFA/month of negative delivery margin.
Switching to a zone grid (break-even) and adding a free threshold at 40,000 FCFA, 20 % of customers raise their basket to reach it: +50 orders at a 42,000 FCFA basket. She erases the 80,000 FCFA loss and gains extra revenue, with cart abandonment down 15 % thanks to predictable fees.
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FAQ
How many zones should I define?
Between 3 and 5 zones is enough for a city. Too many complicates management with no real gain; too few recreates the unfairness of a flat fee.
What free-shipping threshold should I pick?
Between 25,000 and 50,000 FCFA in 2026, set above your average basket. The goal is to nudge the customer to add an item to reach the threshold.
Should I charge by weight?
Yes above a certain volume, with a tier like +500 FCFA/kg above 5 kg. This avoids losing money on heavy parcels.
Do predictable fees really boost conversion?
Yes: showing fees early and consistently cuts cart abandonment by about 15 %. A last-screen surprise is the top cause of abandonment.
How do I target a break-even delivery margin?
Align each zone fee to the real run cost (including batched routes). You don't profit on delivery, but you stop subsidizing it.
Let's talk about your project. We configure your zones, tiers and free threshold to protect margin and conversion. 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.
