The verdict in three sentences
In Douala in 2026, an offline progressive web app (PWA) for a field technician team costs FCFA 9,000,000 to 18,000,000 (roughly EUR 13,700 to 27,400), with a timeline of about 3 months. It covers what matters in a native app (photos, customer signature, GPS, working without signal) for around 40% less than separate iOS and Android apps, and a fraction of what a Singapore agency would quote. The technical point that makes or breaks the project is sync on reconnect, which must be specified in the brief.
What a field PWA costs by feature
Budget depends on the number of job types, dynamic forms, photo volume and integrations (ERP, invoicing, spare-parts stock). The ranges below reflect 2026 quotes from teams based in Central and West Africa, with a Singapore benchmark for comparison.
| Module | Content | Douala 2026 (FCFA) | Singapore 2026 (USD, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offline PWA foundation | Home-screen install, cache, IndexedDB local store | 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 | 12,000 to 20,000 |
| Work orders | Scheduling, checklists per generator type, engine-hour readings | 1,800,000 to 3,500,000 | 10,000 to 18,000 |
| Photos and signature | Photo compression, touch signature, PDF report | 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| GPS | Check-in/out, site map, routes | 900,000 to 2,000,000 | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Sync and conflicts | Local queue, resume, change arbitration | 1,500,000 to 3,500,000 | 8,000 to 16,000 |
| Supervisor back office | Dashboard, dispatch, history per client | 1,100,000 to 2,500,000 | 7,000 to 14,000 |
| Total project | Delivery in 12 to 14 weeks | 9,000,000 to 18,000,000 | 48,000 to 90,000 |
Add hosting (FCFA 40,000 to 120,000 a month) and maintenance of 12 to 18% of the initial budget per year.
PWA or native apps: the numbers
For a fleet of entry and mid-range Android phones, the norm among technicians in Cameroon, a PWA now offers camera access, offline storage and geolocation. Limits mostly concern iOS (restricted background sync) and advanced Bluetooth access.
| Criterion | PWA | 2 native apps (iOS + Android) |
|---|---|---|
| Development cost | FCFA 9 to 18 million | FCFA 15 to 30 million |
| Timeline | 3 months | 4 to 6 months |
| Codebases to maintain | 1 | 2 |
| Store publishing | Not required | Apple (USD 99/year) and Google accounts, review on each release |
| Updates | Instant for everyone | Depend on downloads |
| Size on the phone | 2 to 10 MB | 30 to 80 MB |
| Background sync | Full on Android, limited on iOS | Full |
For 45 Android-equipped technicians, the PWA is the rational choice. If part of the team uses iPhones, plan sync triggered when the app opens rather than in the background.
Offline mode: what to specify
On industrial sites in Bonabéri, in rural areas of the Littoral region or in building basements, 3G or 4G is often missing. A robust field PWA must:
- download the day's schedule and customer records at the morning connection;
- store every work order, photo and signature in an encrypted local database;
- send data in small batches on reconnect, resuming if the signal drops;
- compress photos (from 4 MB to about 300 KB) to save mobile data;
- show the technician clearly what is still waiting to upload;
- handle conflicts if a supervisor edits a job while the technician is offline.
That last point deserves a written rule: who wins on simultaneous edits, and how history is kept.
Mini case study
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Mr Ngando, operations director of a generator maintenance company in Douala, manages 45 technicians who fill in paper work orders, later re-keyed by two administrative staff.
- Current re-entry: 2 staff × FCFA 250,000 loaded salary = FCFA 500,000 a month.
- Delayed invoices: on average 6 days between job and invoice, on FCFA 18,000,000 billed monthly.
- PWA project: FCFA 13,500,000, plus FCFA 1,900,000 annual maintenance.
- Estimated gains: one staff member reassigned (FCFA 250,000 a month), lost work orders avoided (about FCFA 300,000 a month), cash collected 5 days sooner.
- Direct saving: FCFA 550,000 a month, so payback in about 25 months, before counting cash flow. Against two native apps at FCFA 22,000,000, the FCFA 8,500,000 difference already funds more than a year of operation. The same scope in Singapore would cost around USD 70,000, roughly three times more.
FAQ
How much does a field technician PWA cost in Douala?
Between FCFA 9 and 18 million in 2026 depending on modules. A minimal version with work orders, photos and signature starts around FCFA 9 million (about EUR 13,700).
Does a PWA really work without signal?
Yes, once installed and the schedule downloaded, the technician enters everything offline. Data uploads automatically on reconnect, in a few seconds for a work order with 4 compressed photos.
Do technicians need to download the app from the Play Store?
No, they open a link and add the app to the home screen. Updates arrive without any action on their part, avoiding outdated versions in the field.
How long until we are operational?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, 3 months of development, plus a 2 to 3 week pilot with 5 to 8 technicians before full rollout.
Can the PWA connect to our invoicing software?
Yes, through an API or automated export. Budget an extra FCFA 1.5 to 4 million depending on the software and flow direction.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of technicians, job types and current tools: we price the PWA module by module with a 3-month schedule. 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.
