The verdict in three sentences
Custom practice software tailored to the francophone African market costs between 20 000 and 55 000 EUR in 2026 when commissioned through a nearshore agency, depending on the accounting standard, VAT and client portal. What sets it apart from imported tools is native compliance with the revised SYSCOHADA / OHADA framework and local tax obligations. A first operational scope ships in 3 to 5 months.
Why an OHADA-native tool changes everything
Generic software forces constant reworking: non-compliant chart of accounts, wrong financial-statement format, mis-configured VAT. A tool built on the revised SYSCOHADA framework directly produces the balance sheet, income statement and annexes expected by the administration. Add Senegalese VAT (18 %), filings and a client portal, and the practice gains in reliability and speed.
OHADA specifics and cost (2026 order of magnitude)
| Specificity | Scope | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Revised SYSCOHADA chart of accounts | Standardized accounts, classes 1 to 8 | 1 800 - 3 800 EUR |
| OHADA financial statements | Balance sheet, income, cash flow, annexes | 2 300 - 4 600 EUR |
| Senegal VAT & tax | 18 % VAT, withholdings, filings | 1 500 - 3 400 EUR |
| Multi-client management | Clients, fiscal years, closings | 1 800 - 3 700 EUR |
| Client portal (document upload) | Upload, deadlines, messaging | 2 300 - 5 300 EUR |
| Billing & fees | Quotes, invoices, reminders | 1 400 - 2 700 EUR |
A core of Chart of accounts + Statements + VAT + Multi-client lands around 9 000 to 14 000 EUR, with the client portal added on top. (Figures shown in EUR; local invoicing is typically in FCFA.)
Recurring costs and hosting
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Hosting + backups | 60 - 230 EUR/month |
| Maintenance & evolutions | 12-18 % of budget/year |
| Support & tax updates | 75 - 300 EUR/month |
| Staff training | 450 - 1 200 EUR (one-off) |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Mr. Ndiaye runs a 14-staff practice in Dakar handling 220 files. Before the custom tool, OHADA statements relied on time-consuming spreadsheet rework. He invests the equivalent of 8 500 000 FCFA (about 13 000 EUR) in a SYSCOHADA + VAT + Client portal core. At 4 months: closing time per file drops about 35 %, and portal-based collection removes half the reminders. Over one closing season the practice estimates recovering more than 250 hours, redeployed to billed advisory, for a payback under two fiscal years.
FAQ
Does the tool follow revised SYSCOHADA? Yes, the revised framework is built into the core, directly producing a compliant balance sheet, income statement and annexes.
Does it handle local VAT and filings? Yes, 18 % VAT, withholdings and filing deadlines are configured; tax updates are covered by support.
Can it work offline during outages? A degraded mode and automatic backups are planned, suited to local connectivity constraints.
How long to go live? Expect 3 to 5 months for an operational core, delivered in increments for gradual adoption.
Can we start small then extend? Yes, we begin with the accounting core then add portal, billing and analytics in amortizable batches.
Let's scope your project. Share your file count, tax obligations and priority modules, and we'll frame an amortizable SYSCOHADA core. 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.
