The verdict in three sentences
A West African law firm leaving spreadsheets for a real metier tool invests in 2026 between 6 000 000 and 20 000 000 FCFA for a bespoke build delivered in 3 to 5 months. At its core: time tracking, billing, OHADA procedural scheduling and collections monitoring. The return comes not from the software itself but from fees no longer forgotten and arrears finally chased.
2026 cost breakdown by item
an Abidjan firm must balance hosting, training and functional scope. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a 6-to-10-person structure.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Bespoke build (files + billing) | 6 000 000-20 000 000 FCFA | by scope and volume |
| Cloud hosting / year | 600 000-1 800 000 FCFA | EU or regional, backups |
| Team training | 400 000-1 200 000 FCFA | 2-4 days on site |
| OHADA scheduler module | 1 000 000-3 000 000 FCFA | procedural deadlines |
| Annual maintenance | 15-20 % of build | updates and support |
| Delivery time | 3-5 months | file migration included |
Spreadsheet vs metier software: the real gap
A spreadsheet costs little upfront but a lot in lost fees. The numbers are unambiguous.
| Criterion | Excel spreadsheet | Metier software |
|---|---|---|
| Time captured | 70 % | 95 % |
| Average billing delay | 30 days | 10 days |
| Collection rate | 75 % | 90 % |
| Missed-deadline risk | high | automatic alerts |
| File lookup | 15 min | < 1 min |
| Reporting consolidation | manual | real time |
Mini case study
Mr Kouassi runs an 8-lawyer firm in Abidjan (Plateau), with monthly revenue of 24 000 000 FCFA and collections stuck at 75 %. By moving to 90 % collection through automated arrears follow-up, the firm captures 24 000 000 x 15 % = 3 600 000 FCFA/month previously lost. A build at 12 000 000 FCFA thus pays back in under 4 months of recovered cash.
FAQ
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Why not stay on a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet does not chase arrears or alert on OHADA deadlines. Lost fees quickly exceed the price of metier software.
Can the OHADA scheduler live in the software?
Yes: a dedicated module computes procedural deadlines and triggers alerts. Budget 1 000 000-3 000 000 FCFA for this module in 2026.
Where to host data?
A cloud with encrypted backups, EU or regional, costs 600 000-1 800 000 FCFA/year. Require confidentiality and logging.
How long for deployment?
Expect 3 to 5 months for a bespoke build, including in-progress file migration and training.
Can we pay in instalments?
Yes, typically 30 % on order, milestones on delivery of each batch, and a balance on acceptance. Wave or Orange Money payment is available.
Let's scope your project. Give us your headcount, monthly revenue and collection rate, and we will price a bespoke build with an OHADA scheduler and arrears follow-up. 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.
