The verdict in three sentences
Last-mile cost depends first on a number almost no one measures: drops per hour. An unbatched rider caps at 1.4 drops/hour (11/day), while a route-optimized batched rider reaches 2.6 (21/day), cutting cost per order from 2,400 to 1,300 FCFA. The second silent killer is the unrealistic SLA: promising 90% on-time and delivering only 75% costs about 4% of revenue in refunds and reships.
Productivity, line by line
The gap between a mediocre rider and a productive one isn't speed but route organization. Here is the 2026 benchmark for Kampala.
| Metric | Unbatched rider | Route-optimized rider |
|---|---|---|
| Drops/hour | 1.4 | 2.6 |
| Drops/day (8 h) | 11 | 21 |
| Idle time/stop | 12 min | 5 min |
| Moto range/tank | 60-80 km | 60-80 km |
| Cost/order | 2,400 FCFA | 1,300 FCFA |
Idle time per stop is the invisible poison: 12 minutes lost per stop hunting a badly recorded address is over 2 hours wasted across an 11-stop day. Address geotagging and pre-confirmation bring that time to 5 minutes and free up 4 to 6 extra drops per day.
SLA: the promise that costs
A miscalibrated SLA (delivery-time commitment) turns every delay into direct cost. Here are the realistic tiers by achievable productivity.
| SLA tier | Drops/hour required | Feasibility | Penalty if missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same-day | 2.6+ | Only with batched routes | ~4% of revenue |
| Next-day | 1.8 | Achievable with organization | ~2% of revenue |
| 48 hours | 1.2 | Comfortable | <1% of revenue |
Promising same-day without the required 2.6 drops/hour is signing up for penalties. A 90% on-time promise kept at only 75% generates refunds and reships that nibble about 4% of revenue.
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Mini case study
Sekou runs a 4-rider fleet in Kampala, 90 orders/day, unbatched routes (1.4 drops/hour, cost 2,400 FCFA/order). Monthly delivery cost: 2,400 x 90 x 26 = 5,616,000 FCFA. By switching to batched routes (2.6 drops/hour, 1,300 FCFA/order), the same volume is absorbed by 3 riders and costs 1,300 x 90 x 26 = 3,042,000 FCFA. Saving: 2,574,000 FCFA/month, plus one rider freed to absorb growth.
FAQ
How many drops per hour should I target in Kampala in 2026? A route-optimized rider should hit 2.6 drops/hour (about 21/day). Below 1.5, your cost per order exceeds 2,200 FCFA and your fleet is underused.
Why does idle time per stop matter so much? At 12 minutes/stop, a rider loses over 2 hours/day hunting addresses. Cutting it to 5 minutes frees 4 to 6 extra drops per rider per day.
What does a missed SLA cost? A 90% on-time promise delivered at 75% costs about 4% of revenue in refunds and reships. Better to promise 48h and keep it than promise same-day and fail.
Is route batching worth the effort? Yes: it moves cost per order from 2,400 to 1,300 FCFA, a 46% saving, and can free an entire rider on a 4-rider fleet. It's the best logistics lever available.
How do I measure my riders' productivity? You need a platform that timestamps every drop, computes drops/hour, and tracks SLA compliance. Without those KPIs, you can neither optimize nor price fairly.
Let's talk about your project. We build rider-KPI tracking, delivery timestamping, and SLA management into your e-commerce platform. 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.
