The verdict in three sentences
The Senegalese Labour Code grants 2 working days of leave per month, or 24 days per year, plus seniority bonuses: a calculation spreadsheets miss as soon as you pass ten employees. A self-service application for requests and approvals removes balance errors, logs every approval and feeds payroll directly. For 200,000 to 700,000 FCFA upfront, or 1,500 to 4,000 FCFA per employee per month as SaaS, you reclaim 4 to 8 HR hours every month.
Shared spreadsheet vs dedicated app
The Excel file on the shared drive works while headcount is small and stable. Past a threshold, balance formulas break, two people edit at once, and nobody knows which tab is authoritative.
| Criterion | Shared Excel spreadsheet | Dedicated leave app |
|---|---|---|
| Balance calc (24 d/yr + seniority) | Manual, fragile formulas | Automatic and reliable |
| Employee request | Email or verbal | Mobile self-service |
| Approval workflow | None, informal | Manager then HR, logged |
| Notifications | None | WhatsApp + email |
| Risk of balance error | High | Near zero |
| HR time / month (20 staff) | 6-10 h | 1-2 h |
| History and proof | Overwritten each edit | Timestamped log |
| Export to payroll | Copy-paste | Direct export |
What the tool costs and returns
Two models coexist in 2026: a custom app you own, or a per-employee subscription. The choice depends on headcount and how long you expect to use it.
| Item | Custom app | Per-employee SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 200,000 - 700,000 FCFA | 0 - 150,000 FCFA (setup) |
| Recurring cost | Hosting ~15,000 FCFA/mo | 1,500 - 4,000 FCFA/employee/mo |
| 20 employees over 3 years | ~0.9M FCFA | ~1.1 - 2.9M FCFA |
| Customisation | Full | Limited |
| WhatsApp notifications | Included | Plan-dependent |
| Payroll export / payslips | Custom | Standard |
| Data ownership | You | The vendor |
Mini case study
Fatou, HR director at a 22-person SME in Dakar, spent 8 hours every month recalculating balances and arbitrating date clashes. Estimated loaded hourly cost: 4,500 FCFA, or 36,000 FCFA per month on leave alone. After deploying an app at 450,000 FCFA, her time drops to 1.5 h/month (6,750 FCFA). Monthly saving: 29,250 FCFA, or 351,000 FCFA per year. The app pays for itself in just over 15 months, before counting the end of payslip balance errors.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How many leave days per year in Senegal in 2026?
The general scheme is 2 working days per month of effective service, i.e. 24 working days per year. Bonuses apply based on seniority and certain collective agreements.
Is a leave app worth it below 10 staff?
From 8 to 10 employees the spreadsheet shows its limits. As SaaS at 1,500-4,000 FCFA/employee/month the cost stays modest against the HR hours saved and balance accuracy.
Can employees request leave without a computer?
Yes. Self-service is mobile: the employee files a request from their phone, the manager approves, and everyone gets a WhatsApp or email notification.
Does the tool help with payroll compliance?
It keeps a timestamped log of balances and approvals and exports days taken for payslip calculation, protecting your records in an audit.
Can the app integrate with our existing payroll software?
A custom build can export in your payroll's expected format or integrate directly; with SaaS, standard CSV export is usually compatible.
Let's talk about your project. We build your custom leave app, compliant with the Labour Code and wired to your payroll. 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.
