The verdict in three sentences
A food delivery app can be single-restaurant (your brand delivers itself) or multi-restaurant (a platform with several partners and a commission). In Accra in 2026, the cost per delivery ranges from 800 to 2,500 FCFA and can eat into an already tight 20 to 35 % margin, which is why modeling matters. The development cost ranges from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA for a multi-restaurant model with mobile money payment.
Single-restaurant or multi-restaurant: which model?
The model changes everything: cost, logistics and profitability. Here are the two options.
| Criterion | Single-restaurant | Multi-restaurant (platform) |
|---|---|---|
| Development cost | 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA | 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA |
| Delivery logistics | Your riders | Shared fleet or partners |
| Revenue source | Direct sales | Commission 10 to 20 % per restaurant |
| Commission paid | 0 % | You collect it |
| Complexity | Low | High (multi-vendor, split) |
| Mobile money payment | Wave / OM / MTN | Automatic vendor/platform split |
The real cost of a delivery
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Cost per delivery (rider + fuel) | 800 to 2,500 FCFA |
| Aggregator commission avoided | 15 to 30 % of the basket |
| Restaurant margin before delivery | 20 to 35 % |
| Mobile money fees | 1 to 2 % |
| Break-even basket | ~5,000 to 8,000 FCFA |
| Multi-restaurant platform dev cost | 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA |
Mini case study
Fatou launches a multi-restaurant platform in Accra with 12 partners and a 15 % commission. The average basket is 7,000 FCFA, with 1,500 orders per month, i.e. 10,500,000 FCFA in volume. Her gross commission is 1,575,000 FCFA per month. After delivery cost (1,800 FCFA x 1,500 = 2,700,000 FCFA, recharged to customers) and mobile money fees, her net platform margin is around 1,200,000 FCFA monthly. The 3,500,000 FCFA investment is repaid in under 3 months.
FAQ
How much does a food delivery app cost in Accra in 2026?
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Between 1,500,000 and 2,500,000 FCFA for single-restaurant, and 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA for a multi-restaurant platform with payment split (2026 order of magnitude).
How much does each delivery cost?
Between 800 and 2,500 FCFA depending on distance and mode (motorbike, bike). This cost is usually recharged to the customer or shared with the restaurant.
How does the multi-restaurant payment split work?
The customer pays via Wave or Orange Money; the system automatically pays out the restaurant's share (e.g. 85 %) and retains the platform commission (e.g. 15 %), with a weekly payout.
Owned app or existing aggregator?
An aggregator takes 15 to 30 % commission; an owned app removes that cost but requires managing logistics. The choice depends on your volume and your ability to deliver.
How long until a platform is profitable?
With decent volume and a 10 to 20 % commission, the investment is often repaid in 3 to 6 months. The key is the number of partner restaurants and the average basket.
Let's talk about your project. We build your single- or multi-restaurant delivery app with mobile money payment split. 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.
