The verdict in three sentences
An online store doesn't cost a price, it costs a feature tier: the more you automate selling and payments, the higher the ticket. In 2026 in Nairobi, three tiers structure the market, from KES 130,000 to 780,000. The smart move isn't paying the maximum, but picking the tier that matches your real order volume.
The three pricing tiers in 2026
Each tier adds a layer of automation. Starter makes you sell; Growth makes you scale; Premium makes you retain and go international.
| Tier | Key features | Price (KES) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | <=50 products, cart, M-Pesa, orders dashboard | 130,000 - 200,000 | 10 - 15 d |
| Growth | Unlimited catalog, promos, reviews, cards, stock mgmt | 260,000 - 400,000 | 20 - 30 d |
| Premium | Mobile PWA, loyalty, multi-currency, AI recos | 520,000 - 780,000 | 30 - 45 d |
The price jump between Starter and Growth (about 2x) is justified less by design than by logistics: stock management, promo codes, verified reviews and card integration.
Libreville side: the same tiers in FCFA
In Libreville the three-tier structure is identical; the difference is the payment engine. The Kenyan market is dominated by M-Pesa via the Daraja API (STK Push), while Libreville relies on Airtel Money and Moov Money.
| Tier | Nairobi (KES) | Libreville (FCFA, ballpark) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 130,000 - 200,000 | 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 | M-Pesa Daraja |
| Growth | 260,000 - 400,000 | 2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | M-Pesa + card |
| Premium | 520,000 - 780,000 | 4,000,000 - 6,000,000 | Multi + AI recos |
In both markets the price follows the same logic: you pay for automation, not for the number of pages.
When to move from Starter to Growth
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The signal isn't aesthetic, it's operational. Move to Growth when at least two of these thresholds are crossed: more than 50 active SKUs, more than 30 orders/month, recurring need for promo codes, or demand for card payment from the diaspora. Below that, Starter stays the best value.
Mini case study
Brian runs a tech accessories store in Nairobi. He starts on Starter at KES 160,000 and sells 20 orders/month at KES 800 margin, i.e. KES 16,000/month. After 5 months he reaches 45 orders/month and wants promos and card payments. Upgrading to Growth costs an extra KES 330,000. Thanks to promo codes and diaspora card payments he gains 15 extra orders/month (KES 12,000 margin/month): the upgrade pays back in about 28 months on that growth alone, before any basket-size effect.
FAQ
Why does Growth cost twice the Starter? Because it adds heavy logistics: stock management with alerts, verified reviews, promo codes, shipping calculation and card integration. These are extra builds and tests, not just design.
Is Premium worth KES 520-780k? Only if you actually use the PWA, loyalty and multi-currency. For a local merchant with no diaspora or large catalog, Premium is often premature.
Can I start small and grow? Yes, it's even recommended. A well-designed architecture lets you migrate from Starter to Growth without rebuilding everything, adding modules over time.
Do these prices include hosting? No. Hosting is a recurring KES 3,000-9,000/month depending on traffic. The listed prices are the one-time build cost.
M-Pesa or Airtel Money: does it change the price? No, integrating one Mobile Money operator is included in each tier. Adding a second operator or cards happens from Growth onward.
Let's talk about your project. Together we'll find the tier that fits your real volume, no more, no less. 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.
