The verdict in three sentences
The choice between an in-house fleet and a 3PL provider is first a question of volume: below 600 deliveries/month, the 3PL wins thanks to variable costs; above it, the in-house fleet amortises its fixed costs and pushes the per-parcel cost below 1,200 FCFA. The in-house fleet also offers better quality control and a lower failure rate, at the price of HR management and less flexibility on peaks. The right answer is often hybrid: a fleet for the base volume, a 3PL to absorb the spikes.
Fixed costs of an in-house fleet
Building a fleet means accepting recurring fixed costs, independent of order count. Here's the 2026 order of magnitude for one equipped rider.
| Item | 2026 cost (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|
| Motorbike purchase | 450,000 FCFA (amortised ~36 months) |
| Rider salary / month | 90,000-130,000 FCFA |
| Fuel / month | 40,000-70,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance + insurance / month | 20,000-35,000 FCFA |
| Bike depreciation / month | ~12,500 FCFA |
| Total monthly per rider | 160,000-250,000 FCFA |
One rider handles 300 to 500 deliveries/month, setting the in-house cost per parcel between 400 and 800 FCFA excluding supervision.
Break-even: in-house vs 3PL
The 3PL bills per parcel with no fixed cost. The in-house fleet carries a fixed cost but a very low variable cost. Break-even sits around 600 deliveries/month.
| Volume / month | 3PL cost (at 1,800 FCFA) | In-house fleet cost | Best choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 parcels | 540,000 FCFA | 1 rider ~220,000 FCFA + overhead | Evaluate |
| 600 parcels | 1,080,000 FCFA | 2 riders ~440,000 FCFA | In-house |
| 1,000 parcels | 1,800,000 FCFA | 3 riders ~660,000 FCFA | In-house |
| Seasonal peak +50 % | Flexible | Rigid | 3PL / hybrid |
| Failure rate | 10-18 % | 6-10 % | In-house |
Mini case study
Moussa runs an electronics e-commerce in Dakar with 1,000 deliveries/month. On a 3PL at 1,800 FCFA, he pays 1,800,000 FCFA/month. By building a fleet of 3 riders (total ~660,000 FCFA salaries + 180,000 FCFA fuel + 90,000 FCFA maintenance/depreciation = 930,000 FCFA/month), he saves 870,000 FCFA/month and cuts his failure rate from 15 % to 8 %. The added cost of a route supervisor (150,000 FCFA) still leaves over 700,000 FCFA of net savings.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Do you know merchants struggling with their logistics or without an online store yet? Become a Kolonell referral partner (apporteur d'affaires) and earn a commission on every project signed thanks to you. Our rates: 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase site, 12 % on an e-commerce project, 10 % on a marketplace, 8 % on an institutional project. A single qualified introduction can earn you several hundred thousand FCFA.
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FAQ
At what volume is an in-house fleet profitable?
Generally beyond 600 deliveries/month: below that, the 3PL and its variable costs stay more advantageous than a fleet's fixed costs.
What does an in-house rider really cost per month?
Between salary, fuel, maintenance and bike depreciation, expect 160,000 to 250,000 FCFA/month for 300 to 500 deliveries.
Does an in-house fleet really reduce failures?
Yes: the failure rate drops from 10-18 % with a 3PL to 6-10 % in-house, thanks to better control and riders who know the zones.
How do I handle order peaks with an in-house fleet?
The hybrid model is ideal: the fleet absorbs the base volume and a 3PL takes the surplus during spikes (+50 %), avoiding over-sizing the team.
How much can I earn as a Kolonell referral partner?
On a 2,000,000 FCFA e-commerce project, a 12 % commission is 240,000 FCFA; on a showcase site, 15 % + 5 % recurring add to maintenance revenue.
Let's talk about your project. Whether you want to optimise your logistics or become a referral partner, let's talk today. 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.
