The verdict in three sentences
A local food delivery app earns from two taps: the commission taken from the restaurant (15 to 25 %) and the delivery fee charged to the customer (1,000 to 2,500 FCFA). The key factor is not the number of competing apps, it is the density of orders per zone, which cuts the cost per trip. Budget 4 to 10M FCFA to build a platform with automatic dispatch, geolocation and mobile payment.
The per-order economic model
Each order generates several flows. Here is the typical breakdown for an average 8,000 FCFA basket in Johannesburg.
| Line item | Amount | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Meal basket | 8,000 FCFA | Restaurant (net) |
| Platform commission 20 % | 1,600 FCFA | Platform |
| Customer delivery fee | 1,500 FCFA | Platform (covers driver) |
| Actual driver cost | 1,100 FCFA | Driver |
| Mobile payment fee ~1.5 % | 140 FCFA | Operator |
| Net platform margin / order | ~1,860 FCFA | Platform |
The margin per order depends directly on distance: the more restaurants and customers are concentrated, the lower the driver cost and the higher the margin.
The break-even point through density
A delivery app's profitability is a matter of volume and zone. This table shows the effect of density.
| Scenario | Orders / day | Margin / order | Monthly margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch (1 district) | 30 | 1,500 FCFA | 1,350,000 FCFA |
| Growth (3 districts) | 120 | 1,800 FCFA | 6,480,000 FCFA |
| Maturity (dense city) | 400 | 2,100 FCFA | 25,200,000 FCFA |
| Multi-city | 1,000 | 2,300 FCFA | 69,000,000 FCFA |
Automatic dispatch is decisive: by bundling two nearby orders onto one trip, the driver cost per order can fall by 30 %.
Mini case study
Take an app at 6,000,000 FCFA covering three districts of Johannesburg. With 120 orders/day at 1,800 FCFA net margin, the platform generates 6,480,000 FCFA/month. After removing 1,500,000 FCFA of costs (support, servers, marketing, driver incentives), 4,980,000 FCFA of operating margin remains. The app pays for itself in the first month of cruising speed. Mobile payment secures collection before the trip and eliminates delivery non-payment, a line that used to drain 6 % of revenue in cash.
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FAQ
How much does a food delivery app cost?
Between 4 and 10M FCFA depending on automatic dispatch, real-time geolocation and the number of apps (customer, restaurant, driver). A single-district MVP stays at the low end.
What commission should you charge restaurants?
The 2026 standard is 15 to 25 %. Below 15 %, the margin does not cover logistics; above 25 %, restaurants push back.
How do you reach profitability?
Through density: concentrating orders in few zones lowers the cost per trip. Automatic dispatch that bundles nearby trips is the key lever.
Is mobile payment essential?
Yes: collecting before the trip removes non-payment from cash on delivery, which can represent 6 % of revenue.
Native app or PWA?
Real-time driver geolocation often pushes toward native or hybrid on the driver side, while the customer can stay on a lightweight PWA.
Let's talk about your project. We build your delivery platform with dispatch, geolocation and mobile payment. 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.
