The verdict in three sentences
An independent hotel filling rooms through Booking and Expedia hands over 15-22 % commission on every night, millions a year lost outright. A direct booking engine with real-time availability, mobile money/card payment and a light PMS is built for 4.5-9 M FCFA in 8-12 weeks, versus a SaaS channel manager at 120,000-280,000 FCFA/month. From year one, 30 % of bookings can shift to direct, turning commission into margin.
The cost of OTA dependence
For a 40-room hotel in Nairobi, average rate 35,000 FCFA/night, occupancy 65 %:
| Metric | Value (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Room nights sold / year | ~9,490 |
| Annual room revenue | ~332 M FCFA |
| Share via OTA | 55 % |
| Revenue through OTA | ~183 M FCFA |
| Average commission | 18 % |
| Commission paid / year | ~33 M FCFA |
Winning back even a quarter of those bookings direct already saves 8 M FCFA a year.
What the booking engine covers, module by module
| Module | Role | Indicative cost FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| Booking engine & real-time availability | Calendar, rates, options | 1,200,000 - 2,000,000 |
| Mobile money / card payment | Deposit or full payment | 600,000 - 1,100,000 |
| Light PMS | Rooms, arrivals, invoices | 1,000,000 - 1,800,000 |
| Channel manager (OTA sync) | Avoid overbooking | 800,000 - 1,500,000 |
| Guest area & confirmations | Emails, reminders, e-check-in | 500,000 - 900,000 |
| Revenue dashboard | RevPAR, occupancy, sources | 500,000 - 900,000 |
| Initial build total | 4,600,000 - 8,200,000 |
OTA commission vs direct booking over 3 years
| Item | 100 % OTA | 40 % direct via app |
|---|---|---|
| Annual commission | ~33 M FCFA | ~20 M FCFA |
| App cost (3-yr amortised) | 0 | ~2.3 M FCFA/yr |
| SaaS channel manager avoided | - | -2.4 M FCFA/yr |
| Net annual saving | Baseline | ~12.7 M FCFA |
The app is paid back in a few months on commission reduction alone.
Mini case study
Afi runs a 40-room hotel in Nairobi. She pays 33 M FCFA/year in OTA commission. After a 7 M FCFA direct engine, 35 % of bookings go direct in year one, saving around 11.5 M FCFA in commission. Net of amortisation (2.3 M) and hosting, her net annual gain tops 9 M FCFA: the investment is repaid before the end of month 8.
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FAQ
What does a direct hotel booking engine cost in 2026?
Between 4.5 and 9 M FCFA depending on modules (PMS, channel manager, e-check-in). A simple engine with mobile money can start around 3.5 M FCFA.
Will I really cut my Booking dependence?
Usually yes: 20-35 % of bookings shift to direct in year one with a fast site, an attractive direct rate and mobile payment. Booking still helps acquisition but stops being your only channel.
Is mobile money enough or do I need cards?
Both combine. Mobile money captures local and regional guests, cards capture international travellers. Offering both maximises conversion.
How do I avoid overbooking between my site and the OTAs?
The channel manager syncs availability in real time with Booking and Expedia. Every booking, whatever its source, updates room stock instantly.
Is it worth it for a small hotel?
From 20-25 rooms, the commission saved funds the app in under a year. Below that, start with a simple engine before adding the PMS.
Let's talk about your project. We calculate your OTA commission saving and scope your direct engine. 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.
