The verdict in three sentences
A foundation website RFP must describe five non-negotiable sections: programmes, annual reports, online calls for proposals, press room and a second language version. For a foundation steered from London with programmes in West Africa, budgets observed in 2026 with a Dakar-based team run from FCFA 4 to 9 million excl. VAT (EUR 6,100 to 13,700) over 10 to 14 weeks, with a CMS offering a two-level approval workflow. Without a clear scoring grid, the three bids you receive will not be comparable and you will choose on price rather than value.
Mandatory sections and their weight in the budget
A corporate foundation publishes for four audiences: beneficiaries, technical and financial partners, press, and group employees. Each section must be described with its content, features and volume, otherwise every agency will price a different assumption.
| Section | Features to require | Share of budget (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Programmes | Pages per focus area, map of intervention regions, impact indicators | 20 % |
| Annual reports | Filterable PDF library, summarised web version, key figures | 10 % |
| Calls for proposals | Online form, attachments up to 10 MB, acknowledgement, Excel export | 25 % |
| Press room | Releases, media kit, HD photo library, press contact | 10 % |
| Second language | Translation, hreflang, handling of untranslated content | 15 % |
| CMS and workflow | Writer, approver, publisher roles, version history | 12 % |
| Accessibility and performance | WCAG 2.1 AA, page weight under 1.5 MB for 3G | 8 % |
The online call for proposals is often the most expensive section. State the expected number of applications (for example 400 per round), the eligibility criteria and who reviews the files. A simple collection form costs FCFA 600,000 (about EUR 915); a platform with online jury scoring can exceed FCFA 2 million (EUR 3,050).
The two-level approval workflow
In a foundation, every published text commits the group's brand. The RFP should therefore require a circuit: the communications officer drafts, the communications director approves, and for sensitive content (financial results, partnerships) senior management approves at a second level. Also require 12 months of version history and scheduled publishing.
Budgets and timelines observed in 2026
| Offer level | Budget excl. VAT | Timeline | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | FCFA 4 to 5.5 M (EUR 6,100 to 8,400) | 10 weeks | 15 to 20 pages, FR/EN, PDF reports, press, simple form |
| Intermediate | FCFA 5.5 to 7 M (EUR 8,400 to 10,700) | 12 weeks | + calls for proposals with application tracking, interactive map |
| Advanced | FCFA 7 to 9 M (EUR 10,700 to 13,700) | 14 weeks | + online jury, impact dashboard, integrated newsletter |
| Maintenance | FCFA 150,000 to 350,000/month (EUR 230 to 535) | Ongoing | Hosting, security, backups, 2 to 6 h of changes |
| Hosting only | FCFA 25,000 to 75,000/month (EUR 38 to 115) | Ongoing | Server, CDN, SSL certificate |
Ask agencies to detail days per profile. A senior developer day rate in Senegal sits between FCFA 150,000 and 250,000 (EUR 230 to 380) in 2026, against GBP 550 to 800 in London. A bid at FCFA 3 million for the advanced scope almost always hides a CMS without workflow or a machine-translated second language.
Scoring the three bids
| Criterion | Weight | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the brief | 20 % | Restatement of audiences and user journeys |
| Comparable references | 15 % | At least 2 institutional sites delivered in West Africa |
| Quality of the design proposal | 20 % | Design routes or a home page mock-up |
| Technical solution and security | 15 % | CMS, workflow, GDPR and Senegal's data protection law 2008-12 |
| Price and 3 year maintenance | 20 % | Total cost, not just the launch price |
| Schedule and team | 10 % | Named project manager, weekly reviews |
Mini case study
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Aïssatou, communications director of a corporate foundation with offices in London and Dakar, receives three bids: FCFA 4.2 M, 6.8 M and 8.9 M. She computes the three year cost. Bid A: 4.2 M + 36 × 300,000 = FCFA 15 M because maintenance covers missing development. Bid B: 6.8 M + 36 × 180,000 = FCFA 13.28 M (about EUR 20,250). Bid C: 8.9 M + 36 × 150,000 = FCFA 14.3 M. Bid B, mid-priced at launch, is the cheapest over time and includes application tracking. She selects it with a score of 82 out of 100.
FAQ
How much does a foundation website cost in 2026?
FCFA 4 to 9 million (EUR 6,100 to 13,700) with a West African team, depending on the depth of calls for proposals and impact tools. Maintenance adds FCFA 150,000 to 350,000 per month.
How long should we plan?
10 to 14 weeks between choosing the agency and go-live. Add 3 to 4 weeks for the tender process itself.
Do we need a second language at launch?
Yes if you have international donors, who often account for more than 30 % of visits. Budget human translation, roughly EUR 0.09 to 0.14 per word.
Which CMS should we require?
A headless CMS or WordPress with role management and a two-level workflow. Require at least 3 roles and version history.
How do we protect applicants' data?
Require encrypted hosting, access limited to reviewers and a retention period, for example 24 months, compliant with GDPR and Senegal's law 2008-12.
Let's scope your project. Send us your draft RFP, we will review it and price an offer between FCFA 4 and 9 million, delivered in 10 to 14 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
