The verdict in three sentences
For an HR firm outsourcing payroll for multi-agreement clients, custom software costs 6 to 15 M FCFA in 2026 and ships in 10 to 16 weeks. A payroll SaaS (200,000 to 500,000 FCFA/month) starts fast but handles varied collective agreements and local filings poorly. The switch turns on your payroll client count, payslip/filing/Wave-OM integrations and filing-error risk.
Custom vs payroll SaaS: the 3-year cost
A SaaS at 350,000 FCFA/month is 12.6 M FCFA over 3 years, with no code ownership and no control over specific agreements. Custom fixes the cost and absorbs client-portfolio growth.
| Item (2026 order of magnitude) | Custom | Payroll SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | 6,000,000 - 15,000,000 FCFA | 500,000 - 2,000,000 FCFA (setup) |
| Monthly subscription | hosting 80,000-200,000 | 200,000 - 500,000 FCFA |
| Go-live time | 10 - 16 weeks | 4 - 8 weeks |
| Maintenance / support | 300,000 - 750,000 FCFA/month | included |
| 3-year total (estimate) | 18 - 40 M FCFA | 8 - 20 M FCFA |
| Multi-agreement handling | Fully custom | Standardized |
The HR & payroll scope that matters
A payroll firm's value lies in filing reliability and production speed. These features cut time and risk.
| Feature | Effect | Effort (person-days) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-agreement payroll engine | Zero manual recalculation | 15 - 25 |
| Bulk payslip generation | 35 h/month saved | 10 - 16 |
| Automated social/tax filing | Reduced error risk | 12 - 20 |
| Employee portal (online payslips) | Fewer requests | 8 - 14 |
| Wave/OM payment integration | Simplified salary transfers | 8 - 14 |
| Digital vault | Archiving compliance | 6 - 10 |
Mini case study
Serge, manager of an HR & payroll firm in Yaounde, produces payroll for 14 clients (620 payslips/month) on spreadsheets and a generic tool. Before the project: 35 h/month of manual production, 3 filing errors last quarter. He invests 9 M FCFA in custom multi-agreement software with bulk generation and automated filing. Six months later: 35 h/month saved and zero filing errors over 6 months. The 35 h/month freed (~420 h/year) let him take on 4 to 5 new clients without hiring, against maintenance of ~450,000 FCFA/month.
FAQ
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How much does custom HR & payroll software cost in Yaounde in 2026?
From 6 to 15 M FCFA depending on the number of agreements handled, filings and employee portal. A single-agreement firm can start near 5 M FCFA.
What is the go-live timeline?
Expect 10 to 16 weeks: 2-3 framing, 6-9 development, 2-3 testing and agreement configuration, 1-2 training.
What maintenance budget?
Maintenance of 300,000 to 750,000 FCFA/month covers fixes, rate and agreement updates, support and backups. Regulatory evolutions are critical here.
Can salaries be paid via Wave and Orange Money?
Yes: Wave/OM integration automates salary transfers and receipts. Budget 8 to 14 person-days for this component.
SaaS or custom?
Below 5-6 single-agreement clients, SaaS suffices. Beyond that, with varied agreements and sensitive filings, custom makes production reliable and fixes the cost.
Let's scope your project. Share your payroll client count, agreements handled and filing needs: we frame a scope between 6 and 15 M FCFA. 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.
