The verdict in three sentences
International platforms charge restaurants 25 to 30 % commission: unsustainable for a neighbourhood eatery. A hyperlocal micro-platform lives comfortably on 10-15 % because it delivers fast (under 30 minutes within 3 km) with low logistics costs. For a marketplace build of 2.5 to 5 million FCFA, an entrepreneur can rally a neighbourhood's restaurants and capture a durable margin.
Why hyperlocal beats the giants
The giants' model is designed to cover vast areas with costly fleets. In hyperlocal, the average trip is under 3 km, a rider chains several orders per hour, and the relationship with restaurants is direct. The result: commission can drop to 10-15 % while staying profitable, which attracts restaurants fleeing the 25-30 %.
Payment runs on mobile money (MoMo, mobile wallets), with an automatic split between platform, restaurant and rider.
Table — unit economics of one order
| Item | 2026 amount (FCFA) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Average basket | 5,000 | — |
| Customer delivery fee | 800 | paid by customer |
| Platform commission (12 %) | 600 | platform revenue |
| Paid to restaurant | 4,400 | 88 % of basket |
| Rider pay | 700 | from delivery fee |
| Net platform margin / order | ~700 | commission + delivery balance |
Table — launch costs and model
| Item | 2026 range (FCFA) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace build | 2,500,000 - 5,000,000 | Customer + restaurant + rider apps |
| Monthly subscription | 30,000 - 70,000 | Hosting, maps, support |
| Restaurant commission | 10 - 15 % | Configurable |
| Customer delivery fee | 500 - 1,500 | By distance |
| Mobile payment fee | 1.5 - 2 % | Per transaction |
Mini case study
Grace launches a platform in her Accra neighbourhood with 8 partner restaurants. Target: 40 orders/day, 5,000 FCFA average basket, 12 % commission i.e. 600 FCFA, plus a 100 FCFA margin on delivery. Platform revenue per order: ~700 FCFA. Over 40 orders × 26 days: 728,000 FCFA/month. Her build cost 3,500,000 FCFA plus 50,000 FCFA/month in fees. Once she passes ~1,300 orders/month she covers costs; at 40/day she is profitable and pays back the build in ~6 months.
Become a Kolonell referrer
Do you know entrepreneurs wanting to launch a delivery platform, or restaurants ready to join one? Refer Kolonell: 10 % commission on a marketplace project, 12 % on e-commerce, 15 % + 5 % recurring on showcase, 8 % on institutional. A single signed marketplace project is a substantial commission given the ticket sizes.
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FAQ
What commission can I charge restaurants?
Between 10 and 15 % in hyperlocal, versus 25-30 % at the giants. That is precisely your sales argument to recruit restaurants and stay profitable.
How does the payment split work?
For each order paid by mobile money, the amount is split automatically: restaurant share, platform commission, rider pay. Payouts can be weekly via mobile wallets.
Do I need three separate apps?
Yes: one for the customer, one for the restaurant (order intake), one for the rider (trips and navigation). They share the same back office, which is included in the build.
How many orders to break even?
In our example, about 1,300 orders/month cover fixed costs. Beyond that, each order yields ~700 FCFA net margin for the platform.
Can hyperlocal really deliver in 30 minutes?
Yes within a 3 km radius, by clustering nearby restaurants and optimising rider routes. Proximity is the structural advantage of the model.
Let's talk about your project. We quote your hyperlocal delivery platform with a clear business model. 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.
