The verdict in three sentences
A local food-delivery platform doesn't earn its keep on a single ride: it lives on order density per courier and a clean automatic split between restaurant, courier and platform. Against Glovo/Bolt Food, the local fight is won on softer restaurant commissions (15 to 20 %) and a native mobile-money payment the giants handle poorly. Without smart dispatch and a secure split, every ride loses money.
Where the margin hides
A delivery platform's margin is narrow: it comes from the commission taken from the restaurant plus a share of the delivery fee. The whole game is carrying more than one order per run.
| Flow | Who pays / receives | 2026 order of magnitude | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer order | Customer pays meal + fee | Basket 4,000 to 9,000 FCFA | Instant |
| Delivery fee | Customer | 1,000 to 2,500 FCFA/ride | — |
| Restaurant commission | Restaurant → platform | 15 to 30 % of basket | At order |
| Courier payout | Platform → courier | 700 to 1,500 FCFA/ride | Payout D+1 to D+7 |
| Platform share | Net after courier | 500 to 1,500 FCFA/ride | After split |
The automatic split, heart of the system
On each mobile-money order, money must split automatically. An example on a 6,000 FCFA basket + 1,500 FCFA delivery.
| Item | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Meal | 6,000 FCFA | Paid to restaurant − commission |
| Restaurant commission (20 %) | 1,200 FCFA | Platform keeps |
| Delivery fee | 1,500 FCFA | Platform collects |
| Courier payout | 1,100 FCFA | Paid to courier |
| Net platform | ~1,600 FCFA | 1,200 + 1,500 − 1,100 |
| Paid to restaurant | 4,800 FCFA | 6,000 − 1,200 |
Mini case study
Ibrahim launches a platform in Lagos with 10 couriers. Each courier does 8 rides/day, i.e. 80 rides/day. Average platform net: 1,600 FCFA/ride → 80 × 1,600 = 128,000 FCFA/day, about 3.2 million FCFA/month (25 days). By doubling density to 12 rides/courier via better dispatch, he reaches 192,000 FCFA/day (~4.8 million FCFA/month) without hiring a single extra courier: margin comes from optimisation, not raw volume.
FAQ
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How do you compete with Glovo and Bolt Food?
On three levers: lower restaurant commissions (15 to 20 % vs 25 to 30 %), native mobile-money payment, and responsive local support. Restaurants love keeping a bigger share of their basket.
Must the split be instant?
The calculation is instant, but the courier payout can be batched (daily or weekly) to limit transfer fees. The restaurant is settled on a contractually defined cycle.
What's the real margin per ride?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, between 500 and 1,500 FCFA net per ride after paying the courier. Profitability depends on density: more rides per run, more margin.
Should couriers be employees or independents?
Most often independents paid per ride, with bonuses by density and customer rating. Mobile-money payment simplifies payouts.
How much does such a platform cost?
A delivery marketplace with a customer app, courier dispatch and split runs, as an order of magnitude, above 2,500,000 FCFA depending on features and number of cities.
Let's talk about your project. We build your delivery platform with dispatch, automatic split and Wave/Orange Money 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.
