The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar and Abidjan, the top risk is not price but the fly-by-night studio that vanishes after the deposit. A verifiable selection grid (live portfolio, reachable references, written contract, ownership of code and domain) eliminates 90% of bad surprises. Realistic 2026 budget: 400,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA for a brochure site, 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA for e-commerce with Wave and Orange Money.
The selection grid for a reliable agency
These criteria distinguish a structured agency from an improvised freelancer. Score each candidate.
| Criterion | Serious agency | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Verifiable live sites | Screenshots only |
| Local references | Reachable clients in Dakar/Abidjan | No contact provided |
| Payment | Wave + Orange Money integrated | Vague promise |
| Contract | Signed quote + written contract | Verbal, WhatsApp deal |
| Ownership | Code and domain in client's name | Accounts in agency's name |
| After-sale | Contractual maintenance | No follow-up planned |
An agency ticking all six left-hand columns earns the oral defense; two red flags are enough to drop it.
Budget and day-rate benchmarks in FCFA, 2026
Prices vary sharply with vendor experience. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude in francophone West Africa.
| Service | FCFA budget 2026 | Common timeline | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-page brochure | 400,000 - 800,000 | 3-5 weeks | Design, responsive, basic SEO |
| Premium brochure | 800,000 - 1,500,000 | 5-8 weeks | Animations, blog, multilingual |
| E-commerce | 1,000,000 - 4,000,000 | 6-12 weeks | Catalog, Wave/OM, dashboard |
| Developer day rate | 120,000 - 300,000 | Per day | By seniority |
| Monthly maintenance | 50,000 - 200,000 | Per month | Updates, backup, support |
A quote far below these ranges often hides the absence of a contract, code ownership or after-sale support.
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Mini case study
Aminata, owner of a cosmetics shop in Dakar, wants to sell online with Wave payment. She receives two proposals: a freelancer at 350,000 FCFA with no contract or code transfer, and an agency at 1,200,000 FCFA with Wave + Orange Money integrated, code delivered and maintenance at 60,000 FCFA/month. She applies the grid: the freelancer racks up 3 red flags (no reachable references, accounts in his name, WhatsApp deal). Aminata picks the agency. In year one she pays 1,200,000 + 12 x 60,000 = 1,920,000 FCFA, but starts collecting via Wave from week 8. The freelancer, 850,000 FCFA cheaper upfront, was among the 40% of abandoned projects: she would have lost everything.
FAQ
Why do 40% of web projects fail in West Africa? Mainly for lack of written scoping and a stable vendor: deposit paid, project unfinished, no contractual recourse. A selection grid and a signed contract drastically cut this risk.
Is Wave and Orange Money integration essential? To sell online in Senegal or Cote d'Ivoire, yes. They are the dominant payment methods. An agency that does not master their webhooks exposes you to paid-but-unconfirmed orders.
Who should own the domain and code? Always the client. Require the domain name and hosting access to be in your name, and the source code to be delivered to you. Otherwise you become hostage to the agency.
What budget for a brochure site in Dakar in 2026? Order of magnitude: 400,000 to 800,000 FCFA for a standard brochure, up to 1,500,000 FCFA premium with animations and multilingual. Below 400,000 FCFA, be wary of quality and follow-up.
Do you need maintenance after launch? Yes. Budget 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month for updates, backups and support. A site without maintenance becomes vulnerable and obsolete within 12 to 18 months.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your sector, whether you sell online (Wave/Orange Money) and your indicative FCFA budget: we deliver an offer with a contract, code handover and maintenance. 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.
