The verdict in three sentences
The "own fleet or 3PL?" question is settled by one number: your daily trip volume. Below roughly 28 trips/day, the variable cost of a 3PL at 1,500 FCFA per trip beats the fixed costs of an in-house fleet (bike, salary, fuel, maintenance, insurance). Above it, each extra trip costs almost nothing in-house, and running your own fleet wins — provided you manage availability and breakdowns.
Breaking down the two models
A 3PL is 100% variable cost: you pay for what you deliver. An in-house fleet is mostly fixed cost: you pay whether the rider rolls or not. Here is the 2026 cost structure in Ibadan (order of magnitude).
| Cost item (2026) | In-house fleet | 3PL provider |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike (24-month depreciation) | 800,000 FCFA → ~33,000 FCFA/mo | 0 |
| Rider salary | 120,000 FCFA/mo | 0 |
| Fuel + maintenance | ~60,000 FCFA/mo | 0 |
| Insurance + misc | ~15,000 FCFA/mo | 0 |
| Cost per trip | — | 1,500 FCFA |
| Total monthly fixed | ~228,000 FCFA | 0 |
At ~228,000 FCFA monthly fixed cost over 26 working days, the in-house fleet costs 8,770 FCFA/day regardless of volume. The 3PL costs 1,500 FCFA × number of trips.
The tipping point, line by line
| Trips/day | 3PL cost/day | Fleet cost/day | Winning model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15,000 FCFA | 8,770 FCFA + variable | 3PL if low km |
| 20 | 30,000 FCFA | ~15,000 FCFA | Fleet |
| 28 | 42,000 FCFA | ~19,000 FCFA | Fleet (tipping point) |
| 40 | 60,000 FCFA | ~24,000 FCFA | Fleet clearly |
| 5 | 7,500 FCFA | 8,770 FCFA | 3PL |
Caveat: the table assumes a well-filled fleet. A bike doing 10 trips/day costs the same fixed amount as one doing 25 — which is why you should optimize routes before internalizing. Many stores keep a hybrid model: fleet for dense, recurring zones, 3PL for peaks and far zones.
Mini case study
Adaeze runs an online grocery in Bodija, averaging 22 trips/day. On 3PL she pays 22 × 1,500 = 33,000 FCFA/day, about 858,000 FCFA/month. A one-bike fleet caps at ~25 trips/day for ~228,000 FCFA fixed + fuel already counted. At 22 trips, the fleet would cost her ~250,000 FCFA/month: a saving of over 600,000 FCFA/month. But volume spikes to 40 at month-end and one bike isn't enough. Her fix: one in-house bike + 3PL overflow above 25 trips. Estimated blended cost: ~430,000 FCFA/month while keeping flexibility.
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FAQ
What's the real tipping point?
In Ibadan in 2026, around 28 trips/day with a 3PL at 1,500 FCFA. Below that, stay on 3PL; steadily above it, bring at least one bike in-house.
Doesn't an in-house fleet have hidden costs?
It does: breakdowns, leave, absences, fuel theft, management time. Add a 15-20% safety margin on the theoretical fixed cost before deciding.
Is the hybrid model hard to run?
No, if your store routes orders automatically: fleet for dense zones, 3PL beyond a trip threshold. It's the best cost/flexibility trade-off for irregular volume.
How do I pay a rider or 3PL quickly?
Via mobile money, with an automatic trip summary. Mobile money avoids cash advances and makes the provider relationship reliable.
Let's talk about your project. We calculate your tipping point and wire automatic fleet/3PL routing into your store. 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.
