The verdict in three sentences
Aggregators take 20-30% commission on every order, plus fees that eat into your already-thin margin. Your own delivery app in Accra costs the equivalent of 1,500,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA in 2026 but removes that commission and gives you back the customer relationship and its data. The maths is simple: past a volume threshold, keeping the order in-house earns more than an aggregator's convenience.
The real cost of aggregators
Commission is not the only line. Here is what weighs on an average 6,000 FCFA order via an aggregator.
| Item | Aggregator | Own app |
|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 20-30% (1,200-1,800 FCFA) | 0% |
| Payment fees | included | 1.5-2% mobile money |
| Customer data | not accessible | 100% yours |
| Loyalty / promos | impossible | unlimited |
| Driver | imposed | in-house or partner |
| Branding | the aggregator's | yours |
On a 6,000 FCFA order, the aggregator skims 1,200 to 1,800 FCFA. Your own app only loses the mobile-money fee, about 90 to 120 FCFA.
The break-even point
At how many orders does your app pay off? Take a 3,000,000 FCFA investment and an average 6,000 FCFA order with 25% aggregator commission saved (1,500 FCFA/order).
| Orders / month | Commission saved / month | Months to recoup 3M FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | 450,000 FCFA | ~7 months |
| 500 | 750,000 FCFA | 4 months |
| 800 | 1,200,000 FCFA | ~3 months |
| 1,200 | 1,800,000 FCFA | <2 months |
| 2,000 | 3,000,000 FCFA | 1 month |
From 500 monthly orders, the app pays back in a quarter — then every order keeps an extra 1,500 FCFA of margin.
Mini case study
Kwame runs a restaurant in Accra doing 700 delivery orders a month via an aggregator at 25% commission. He therefore pays about 1,050,000 FCFA/month in commission (700 x 6,000 x 25%). He invests 3,500,000 FCFA in his own app with mobile payment and driver tracking. Even keeping the aggregator for discovery, he shifts 60% of orders to his app: he saves about 630,000 FCFA/month and recovers his loyal customers' details. Return on investment in under 6 months.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does an own delivery app cost in Accra?
The equivalent of 1,500,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA in 2026 depending on features: ordering, mobile payment, real-time driver tracking, loyalty programme and restaurant back-office.
Should I keep the aggregator alongside?
Often yes at first: the aggregator brings new customers, your own app takes regulars commission-free. You gradually shift loyal volume to the app.
At what volume is it profitable?
From about 500 orders a month, the commission saving (750,000 FCFA/month in our example) recoups a 3,000,000 FCFA app in a quarter.
How do I manage drivers?
The app can run in-house or partner drivers with GPS tracking, auto-assignment and delivery proof. You keep control of timing.
Is mobile payment built in?
Yes: MTN Mobile Money, cards and transfers, with fees around 1.5 to 2%, well below an aggregator's 20-30%.
Let's talk about your project. We build your own delivery app, aggregator-commission-free, tailored to Accra. 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.
