The verdict in three sentences
Delivering in-house recovers 18 margin points per order by avoiding aggregators' 25 to 30 % commission, versus 8 to 12 % for an internal rider cost. The decision: your own platform versus Glovo or Jumia Food, with break-even around 300 orders/month. At 1.2M FCFA for the kitchen + rider app, you also keep the customer data, invisible with an aggregator.
Own platform or aggregator
Aggregators bring immediate volume, but at a cost that crushes margin: 25 to 30 % per order, plus the total loss of the customer relationship. Your own platform costs more upfront, but every order stays more profitable and feeds your customer base.
| Criterion | Aggregator (Glovo/Jumia Food) | Own platform |
|---|---|---|
| Commission/cost per order | 25-30 % | 8-12 % (own rider) |
| Setup cost | 0 FCFA | 1.2M FCFA |
| Customer data | lost | yours |
| Margin recovered/order | baseline | ~18 points |
| Direct loyalty | no | yes |
| Delivery zone | imposed | controlled (5 km) |
| Break-even | immediate | ~300 orders/month |
The real shift is data: on an aggregator, you don't know who orders. In-house, you know your customers, their habits, and you can re-engage them without paying commission again.
The profitability math in 2026
On a 10,000 FCFA order, the aggregator takes 2,500 to 3,000 FCFA. In-house, the internal rider costs 800 to 1,200 FCFA. The difference — about 1,800 FCFA per order — funds the app then becomes profit.
| Monthly volume | Aggregator cost (28 %) | Own cost (10 %) | Savings/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 orders | 420,000 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA | 270,000 FCFA |
| 300 orders | 840,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA | 540,000 FCFA |
| 500 orders | 1,400,000 FCFA | 500,000 FCFA | 900,000 FCFA |
| 800 orders | 2,240,000 FCFA | 800,000 FCFA | 1,440,000 FCFA |
(Basis: 10,000 FCFA average ticket.) At 300 orders/month, the savings cover the app in a little over two months.
Mini case study
Thanks to her well-known eatery in Kampala, Marlène does 400 delivery orders/month, average ticket 10,000 FCFA, i.e. 4M FCFA of delivery revenue. With the aggregator at 28 %, she leaves 1.12M FCFA in commission every month.
Moving to her own platform (1.2M FCFA) with two riders at a 10 % cost, she now pays only 400,000 FCFA/month for logistics. Savings: 720,000 FCFA/month. The app pays for itself in under two months, and Marlène recovers her whole customer base for promotions.
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FAQ
How much does in-house delivery software cost in Kampala in 2026?
An app combining kitchen order-taking and rider tracking runs around 1.2M FCFA. It's an investment recouped from ~300 orders/month through avoided commissions.
Do we have to drop aggregators entirely?
Not necessarily: many keep the aggregator to capture new customers, then shift them to direct ordering. The own platform becomes the main channel for regulars.
How do we manage riders without a dedicated fleet?
The app handles assignment and GPS tracking of in-house or freelance riders. The internal cost (8-12 %) stays well below the aggregator's 25-30 %.
What delivery zone should we target?
A 5 km radius keeps times short and costs controlled. Beyond that, per-order profitability drops and delays hurt the experience.
Is payment on delivery or online?
Both: Wave, MTN MoMo or cash on handover. Online payment at ordering reduces cancellations and secures the rider's round.
Let's talk about your project. We price your own delivery platform to your monthly volume. 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.
