The verdict in three sentences
An 18-lawyer firm in Lagos that does not record its time loses billable hours every month that no client will ever pay for. Foreign SaaS tools cost 40 to 90 EUR per user per month, roughly 1.2M to 2.8M NGN a month for 18 seats as a 2026 order of magnitude, and fit poorly with Nigerian court calendars, local billing practices and naira invoicing. A bespoke system at 4M to 7M FCFA (6,100 to 10,670 EUR), delivered in 10 to 14 weeks, covers the hearing diary, conflict checks, time recording and billing.
Foreign SaaS or bespoke software: the numbers
The decision rests on three-year total cost and on fit with the applicable law: Nigerian procedure rules, the Lagos State High Court and Federal High Court calendars, and OHADA matters for clients active in francophone West Africa.
| Criterion | International SaaS (Clio, Kleos, etc.) | Kolonell bespoke software |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 to 1,500 EUR setup | 4M to 7M FCFA (6,100 to 10,670 EUR) |
| Monthly cost for 18 users | 1.2M to 2.8M NGN | Maintenance 75,000 FCFA a month |
| 3-year total cost (2026 order of magnitude) | 26,000 to 58,000 EUR | 10,200 to 14,800 EUR |
| Local courts and procedure | Missing or to be configured | Built in from day one |
| Naira billing with 7.5% VAT | Partial, often in USD or EUR | Native, firm's own invoice templates |
| Fee collection | Card | Bank transfer, Paystack, USSD |
| Low-bandwidth use | Depends on foreign cloud | Light interface, optional offline mode |
The modules that recover billable hours
Unrecorded time often amounts to 10 to 20% of hours actually worked, based on orders of magnitude seen in commercial law firms. Each module targets a specific leak.
| Module | Function | Problem solved | Estimated gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hearing diary | Calendar by court, SMS and WhatsApp reminders | Missed adjournments and deadlines | Zero missed deadlines |
| Conflict check | Search by party, director, group | Accepting an incompatible matter | 5 to 10 min per new matter |
| Time recording | Timer, mobile entry, daily reminder | Hours forgotten at month end | 10 to 15% more hours billed |
| Billing | Hourly, fixed fee, retainers | Late invoices, missed disbursements | Invoicing time cut by 3 |
| Collections | Reminders, aged debt by partner | Debts over 90 days | 15 to 25% fewer late payments |
| Document management | Files by matter, access rights | Searching scattered documents | 2 to 3 h per lawyer per month |
A 10 to 14 week schedule
Weeks 1 and 2: review of typical matters, fee scales and invoice templates. Weeks 3 to 8: development in batches (matters and conflicts, then diary, then time and billing). Weeks 9 to 11: migration of active matters, training for lawyers and secretaries. Weeks 12 to 14: acceptance testing, adjustments and go-live. Data is hosted with encryption and daily backups, in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Mini case study
Chidi, managing partner of an 18-lawyer firm in Lagos (illustrative scenario), bills an average of 60,000 NGN an hour. He estimates each lawyer forgets at least 2 billable hours a month. Over 11 working months, that is 18 × 2 × 11 = 396 hours, or 23.8M NGN in lost fees a year (about 14,000 EUR). Bespoke software at 6M FCFA (about 9,150 EUR) plus 900,000 FCFA of annual maintenance therefore pays back in under 9 months, before counting time saved on billing and collections.
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FAQ
Why not simply use international software?
These tools are solid, but cost 1.2M to 2.8M NGN a month for 18 users and often ignore local procedure. Over 3 years, bespoke software costs 2 to 4 times less.
How long does deployment take?
Allow 10 to 14 weeks, including matter migration and training. A first version with the diary and time recording can be used from week 8.
Does the software handle VAT and disbursements?
Yes, invoices include 7.5% VAT, disbursements, retainers and success fees. Each template follows the firm's branding.
Can clients pay online?
Yes, a Paystack or bank transfer payment link can be added to every invoice. This shortens collection time for individuals and SMEs.
Does it work on an unstable internet connection?
The interface is light and designed for 3G, and time entries can be made offline then synced. Hearings remain viewable on a phone at court.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of lawyers, your matter types and your billing methods, and we will price your software between 4M and 7M FCFA with a 10 to 14 week schedule. 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.
