The verdict in three sentences
An invoicing app automates your quotes, invoices and reminders, and above all it adds a Wave payment link letting the customer pay in two clicks. For an SME in Dakar, budget 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA for a custom build, or a SaaS like Facturo from 0 FCFA. The real gain is cash flow: automatic reminders and the Wave link move payment time from 30-45 days to 7-15 days.
The problem isn't issuing, it's collecting
In Dakar, many SMEs issue clean invoices but wait weeks for payment. The cause is almost always the same: no systematic follow-up, and a payment method that is too heavy (transfer, cash, a trip). The customer delays, forgets, and cash flow suffers.
An invoicing app fixes this by automating three things: clean numbered PDF quote/invoice generation, automatic reminders at D+3, D+7 and D+15, and the Wave payment link embedded in the invoice. The customer receives the invoice by WhatsApp or email, clicks, pays via Wave, and the status flips automatically to "paid".
| Feature | What it brings | Cash-flow impact |
|---|---|---|
| Quote to invoice in 1 click | Zero re-entry | Faster sales cycle |
| Wave payment link | Pay in 2 clicks | Immediate collection |
| Automatic reminder | D+3, D+7, D+15 | -50 % late payments |
| Numbered PDF invoice | Compliant and pro | Stronger credibility |
| Unpaid dashboard | View of overdue invoices | Prioritized follow-up |
| Accounting export | File ready for bookkeeper | Simplified close |
Custom build vs a SaaS like Facturo
In 2026 the choice depends on your volume and customization needs. Facturo SaaS starts free and suits a small structure perfectly. Custom development is justified when you have specific processes (multi-currency, internal approval, ERP integration).
| Criterion | Facturo SaaS | Custom development |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 0 FCFA (5 invoices/mo) | — |
| Starter plan | 9,900 FCFA/mo | — |
| Pro plan | 24,900 FCFA/mo | — |
| Development cost | 0 | 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA |
| Wave payment link | Included | Included (custom) |
| Customization | Standard options | Full |
| Best for | Micro-business, freelance, simple SME | SME with specific processes |
Our advice: start on Facturo (Free or Starter at 9,900 FCFA/mo) to validate the need. If volume explodes or you need deep integrations, move to custom — the data carries over.
The effect of reminders on payment time
Automatic reminders are the most underrated lever. A customer not chased pays when they remember; a customer reminded at D+3, D+7 and D+15 pays much faster, without you having to chase.
| Scenario | Reminders | Average payment time |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp invoice, no follow-up | None | 30 to 45 days |
| Invoice with manual follow-up | Irregular | 20 to 30 days |
| App with auto reminders | D+3, D+7, D+15 | 7 to 15 days |
| App + Wave link | Auto + 2-click payment | 3 to 10 days |
Mini case study
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Fatou runs a services agency in Plateau, Dakar. She invoices about 4,000,000 FCFA per month, collected on average at 40 days. That delay forces her to dip into cash to pay her contractors.
She adopts an app with a Wave link and automatic reminders for 1,500,000 FCFA. Average time drops to 12 days. Over a month this frees the equivalent of nearly 28 days of cash on 4,000,000 FCFA — enough to avoid an overdraft and pay contractors on time. The tool pays for itself in a few months on avoided finance costs alone.
FAQ
How much does an invoicing app cost in Dakar in 2026?
From 0 FCFA with a SaaS like Facturo (Free plan, 5 invoices/month) to 800,000-2,500,000 FCFA for a custom build. Facturo's paid plans are 9,900 and 24,900 FCFA/month.
Is the Wave payment link hard to set up?
No. The invoice contains a button or link: the customer clicks, pays via Wave, and the invoice status flips automatically to "paid". No manual reconciliation.
Don't automatic reminders upset customers?
No, they are polite and spaced (D+3, D+7, D+15). They mainly remove the awkwardness of chasing yourself, and cut late payments in half.
Can I migrate from Facturo to a custom solution later?
Yes. We carry over your customer catalog, invoice numbers and history. The migration is planned so as not to break legal numbering.
Does the app handle quotes and VAT?
Yes, it turns an accepted quote into an invoice in one click and applies Senegalese VAT correctly, with an export ready for the bookkeeper.
Let's talk about your project. We set up your invoicing with a Wave link and automatic reminders in Dakar. 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.
