The verdict in three sentences
With 70 fuel tankers and in-transit losses of 0.4 to 0.8%, a custom tracking app pays back within weeks, because every tenth of a point of loss means tens of thousands of litres a year. Kolonell's development falls in the complex range, 7,000,000 to 15,000,000+ FCFA (10,670 to 22,870+ EUR), due to GPS tracker integration, sensors and volume reconciliation. Timeline is 4 to 5 months, including a 15-truck pilot.
Where in-transit losses come from
On long West African corridors, such as Bamako to Ségou, Sikasso, Kayes or Mopti, a 36,000-litre tanker spends days on the road. Gaps between volume loaded at the depot and volume delivered at the station have three sources: thermal expansion (real but measurable), unauthorised stops with siphoning, and gauging or entry errors on paper notes. Without cross-checked data you cannot tell them apart, and honest drivers pay for the rest.
| Source of loss | Estimated share | What the app measures | Triggered action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature and expansion | 0.1 to 0.2% | Volume corrected to 15 °C at loading and delivery | Automatic tolerance |
| Unauthorised stops | 0.2 to 0.4% | Stops over 10 min outside planned zones | Real-time alert to supervisor |
| Valve opening | Variable | Valve sensor linked to GPS | Alert if opened away from a station |
| Gauging errors | 0.05 to 0.1% | Guided entry with gauge photo | Consistency check |
| Lost or altered paper notes | Hard to quantify | Signed electronic delivery note | Disputes traced |
| Route deviations | 0.05 to 0.1% | GPS corridor per trip | Report per driver |
Hardware and software: what to budget
The project combines hardware fitted on trucks with custom-built software. GPS trackers cost 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA per truck, plus a data plan of 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per truck per month (2026 ballpark in Mali). Valve or level sensors add a hardware cost the supplier quotes per tank model.
| Item | Range | Paid by | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS tracker | 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA per truck | Distributor | Model with sensor inputs recommended |
| Data plan | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per truck per month | Distributor | Multi-network SIM helps outside cities |
| Valve or level sensors | Per supplier | Distributor | Prioritise long-haul trucks |
| Kolonell web and mobile app | 7,000,000 to 15,000,000+ FCFA | Kolonell | Dashboard, e-delivery notes, alerts |
| Application maintenance | 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA per month | Kolonell | Depending on service level |
| Hosting and on-call | Quoted separately | Kolonell | Depends on GPS data volume |
The app includes a mobile interface for drivers (delivery note, gauge photo, station manager signature), a web console for dispatch (map, corridors, alerts) and a reconciliation module that computes the gap per truck, per driver and per trip. Off-the-shelf trackers push positions through an API; the app connects to them instead of rebuilding GPS tracking.
Rollout in 4 to 5 months
Typical plan: 3 weeks of scoping with logistics and the depot, 10 weeks of development, a 4-week pilot on 15 trucks on the most exposed routes, then fleet-wide rollout. The human side matters as much as the software: drivers need to see that the data also protects those who deliver without gaps.
Mini case study
Mr. Traoré, logistics director of a fuel distributor in Bamako, runs 70 trucks of 36,000 litres averaging 8 trips a month, i.e. 20,160,000 litres hauled monthly. At an average 0.6% loss and a cost of roughly 700 FCFA per litre, losses reach 120,960 litres, or 84,672,000 FCFA per month.
Target: bring losses down to 0.2%, the expansion share. The gain is 0.4 points, i.e. 80,640 litres and 56,448,000 FCFA per month. Investment: 70 trackers at 90,000 FCFA (6,300,000 FCFA), an app at 12,000,000 FCFA, and data at 7,500 FCFA per truck, i.e. 525,000 FCFA per month. Even if the real gain is only half the target, the upfront investment is covered in under two months.
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Reports also change the conversation with station customers: when a station disputes a delivery, the dispatcher can share the signed note, the gauge photo and the GPS trace in minutes instead of opening a paper investigation that takes weeks.
FAQ
Do GPS trackers work on roads without coverage?
Yes, positions are stored in the unit and uploaded when signal returns. On long corridors, coverage gaps of 30 to 60 minutes are common and do not prevent rebuilding the route.
Can we keep our current trackers?
Often yes, if the supplier offers an API or export. Scoping checks this in week one, which can save 60,000 to 120,000 FCFA per truck.
How is the tolerated gap calculated?
The app corrects volumes to 15 °C and applies a configurable tolerance, for example 0.2%. Anything beyond is assigned to the trip and flagged.
Do station managers need to install anything?
No, they sign the electronic note on the driver's phone or via a link. Proof of delivery is timestamped and geotagged.
How soon do we see results?
Per-driver gaps are visible within the 4-week pilot. In comparable fleets, the deterrent effect of alerts cuts unauthorised stops by more than 50% within three months.
Let's scope your project. We define trackers, electronic delivery notes and volume reconciliation with your logistics team, with a 15-truck pilot and go-live in 4 to 5 months. 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.
