The verdict in three sentences
The flat delivery fee is a silent mistake: it overcharges nearby customers — who abandon — and loses you money on far customers you deliver at a loss. Zoned pricing aligns price with real cost: 3 to 5 concentric zones, from downtown to the periphery. Result: margin up 6 to 12 % and conversion in near zones +10 % thanks to lower fees.
Flat fee vs zoned grid
Let's compare the two approaches on the same catalogue. The flat fee averages everything and is wrong everywhere; the zoned grid tracks each delivery's cost.
| Criterion | Flat fee (TZS 5,000) | Zoned grid |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown customer | Overcharged (+2,000-3,000) | Fair (2,500-3,500) |
| Periphery customer | Undercharged (-2,000-3,000) | Fair (6,000-10,000) |
| Near-zone conversion | Dampened | +10 % |
| Overall margin | Baseline | +6 to +12 % |
| Far-zone losses | Frequent | Eliminated |
The flat fee is the worst of both worlds: it drives away nearby customers (who could be your best) and subsidizes the least profitable far deliveries.
Building a 3-5 zone grid
Split the city into concentric zones around your dispatch point. Add a distance component for edge cases. Here's a typical 2026 grid for Dar es Salaam.
| Zone | Radius | Fee (TZS) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 - center | 0-3 km | 2,500 - 3,500 | Max conversion |
| Zone 2 - near | 3-7 km | 3,500 - 5,000 | Standard |
| Zone 3 - mid | 7-12 km | 5,000 - 7,000 | Batching recommended |
| Zone 4 - periphery | 12-20 km | 6,000 - 10,000 | Prepay advised |
| Zone 5 - out-of-city | >20 km | 10,000 + 500-1,000/km | On request |
Geolocated checkout calculation via a maps API automatically applies the right fee by address. Far zones, often paid cash on delivery, should be flagged for prepayment to avoid costly failures and returned parcels.
Mini case study
Juma sells home appliances online in Dar es Salaam, 40 deliveries/day split: 40 % center, 35 % near, 25 % periphery. On a flat TZS 5,000 fee he collects TZS 200,000 but real cost ranges from TZS 2,400 (center) to TZS 9,500 (periphery), total cost ~TZS 184,000 — and he loses downtown customers put off by the TZS 5,000. On a zoned grid (2,400 / 4,000 / 8,000) he charges fairly: center conversion rises 10 % (+2 sales/day at ~TZS 16,000 margin = TZS 32,000) and periphery deliveries are no longer at a loss. Estimated net gain: +9 % logistics margin plus the additional downtown revenue.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Do you know merchants, restaurateurs or entrepreneurs who need an online store with optimized delivery? The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays you for every project you bring, with no need to handle the technical side.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
| Project type referred | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % |
| E-commerce store | 12 % | - |
| Marketplace | 10 % | - |
| Institutional site | 8 % | - |
On an e-commerce store at FCFA 1,500,000, your referral commission is FCFA 180,000 (12 %). For a showcase site at FCFA 500,000, that's FCFA 75,000 plus 5 % recurring on maintenance. You bring the qualified contact, we deliver — you get paid.
FAQ
Why is a flat delivery fee a mistake?
Because it overcharges nearby customers (who abandon) and undercharges far ones (delivered at a loss). Zoned pricing fixes both and improves margin by 6 to 12 %.
How many zones should I define?
Between 3 and 5 concentric zones suffice for most cities. Add a distance component (+TZS 500-1,000/km) beyond the last zone for out-of-city cases.
How does the right fee apply automatically?
A geolocated checkout calculation, via a maps API, detects the address and applies the matching zone's fee with no manual step.
Should I require prepayment in far zones?
Yes, it's recommended. Far zones paid cash concentrate delivery failures and returns; prepayment secures these costly orders.
How much can I earn as a Kolonell referral partner?
From 8 to 15 % of the project value depending on the pole, plus 5 % recurring on showcase sites. An e-commerce store at FCFA 1,500,000 earns you FCFA 180,000 in commission.
Let's talk about your project. We build stores with geolocated zone grids and run the referral program to pay you. 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.
