The verdict in three sentences
Selling your courses on a foreign platform means renting your own audience and handing 10 to 30 % commission on every sale. A self-owned e-learning app collects via mobile money, keeps 100 % of the price minus fees, and works on a 3G connection. For a serious catalogue in Lagos, budget 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA, recouped as soon as volume grows.
Foreign platform versus self-owned app
The convenience of a turnkey platform is paid for in commission and in the absence of mobile money, which blocks a large share of West African buyers.
| Criterion | Foreign LMS platform | Self-owned app 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per sale | 10 to 30 % | 0 % (excluding mobile money fees) |
| Mobile money payment | Rarely supported | Native mobile money |
| Ownership of student data | Limited | Full |
| Low-bandwidth video | Variable | 3G-optimized, adaptive quality |
| Offline download | Often restricted | Included, watch without connection |
| Brand and domain | Forced sub-domain | Your brand, your domain |
The true cost of commissions
On 12,000,000 FCFA of annual sales, the platform commission changes everything. Here is the impact by rate charged.
| Commission rate | Taken from 12,000,000 FCFA | Kept by the creator |
|---|---|---|
| 10 % | 1,200,000 FCFA | 10,800,000 FCFA |
| 20 % | 2,400,000 FCFA | 9,600,000 FCFA |
| 30 % | 3,600,000 FCFA | 8,400,000 FCFA |
| Self-owned app | ~180,000 FCFA (1.5 % fee) | 11,820,000 FCFA |
At this volume, the gap versus a 20 % platform in the first year almost covers the cost of the app.
Key features of a good course app
An e-learning app is not just a video player: quizzes, certificates and drip content are what bring the learner back.
| Feature | What it brings | 2026 order of magnitude (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| 3G video hosting | Adaptive streaming, low data | 700,000 - 1,500,000 |
| Mobile money + card payment | Mobile money, card | 600,000 - 1,200,000 |
| Drip content | Unlocks lessons in stages | 300,000 - 700,000 |
| Quizzes and certificates | Assessment and PDF certificate | 400,000 - 900,000 |
| Offline download | Watch without connection | 400,000 - 800,000 |
| Cohort or self-paced | Dated sessions or on demand | 300,000 - 700,000 |
Mini case study
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Amina, a digital marketing trainer in Lagos, sells a course at 35,000 FCFA. She makes 300 sales in the first year, i.e. 10,500,000 FCFA. On a platform at 25 % commission, she loses 2,625,000 FCFA. With her own app and mobile-money fees of 1.5 %, she gives up only 158,000 FCFA. She therefore saves about 2,467,000 FCFA a year. Her app, billed at 4,500,000 FCFA, is recouped in under two years, and she now owns her student list.
FAQ
How much does an e-learning app cost in Lagos in 2026?
An order of magnitude of 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA depending on features. An MVP with video, mobile-money payment and quizzes can ship around 3,500,000 FCFA.
Does video work on a 3G connection?
Yes, with adaptive-quality streaming that lowers resolution when the network weakens. Offline download also lets students watch without a connection.
Can I collect via mobile money?
Yes, these are the priority methods. Collection fees run around 1.0 to 2.0 %, far below the 10 to 30 % of a platform.
Cohort or self-paced: which model to choose?
Dated cohorts create engagement and a higher price; self-paced maximizes volume. A good app handles both, often combining a self-paced core with premium sessions.
Do I keep my student data?
Yes, entirely. This is one of the big advantages over platforms: you own the relationship, the list and the purchase history.
Let's talk about your project. We price your catalogue and the mobile-money checkout suited to your audience. 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.
