The verdict in three sentences
A last-mile logistics platform built nearshore costs 22 to 40 million FCFA (EUR 33,000 to 61,000) for an MVP delivered in 9 to 13 weeks, with a team of 3 to 4. The critical modules are driver dispatch, routing, proof of delivery and mobile payment (3 to 6 M FCFA of integration). Without a reliable driver app and mobile-money collection, the product does not survive the field.
Modules, FCFA cost and timeline
A last-mile platform is a real-time operational tool: it assigns jobs, optimises routes, captures proof of delivery and collects payment. Here is the 2026 per-module estimate.
| Module | 2026 cost (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch + driver assignment | 5 - 8 M | 2-3 wks |
| Route optimisation | 4 - 7 M | 2 wks |
| Driver app (Android) | 6 - 10 M | 3-4 wks |
| Proof of delivery (photo, signature) | 2 - 4 M | 1-2 wks |
| Mobile payment | 3 - 6 M | 2 wks |
| Operator dashboard | 2 - 5 M | 1-2 wks |
| MVP total | 22 - 40 M | 9-13 wks |
A local or nearshore team of 3 to 4 (project manager, 2 devs, 1 QA) can deliver this scope. The Android driver app is the most sensitive line: it is the couriers' daily tool and must work on 3G and offline.
Monthly operating costs
A logistics platform generates variable costs that scale with job volume. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for 3,000 deliveries/month.
| Line item | 2026 unit cost | Monthly (3,000 jobs) |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting + database | flat fee | 250,000 - 600,000 FCFA |
| Customer SMS notification | 25 - 40 FCFA | 75,000 - 120,000 FCFA |
| Maps / geolocation | per request | 100,000 - 250,000 FCFA |
| Mobile-money fees | 1.2 - 1.8% | per collection |
| Operating total | 450,000 - 1.1 M FCFA/month |
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These costs must be baked into the per-delivery price from the business plan, or they erode operating margin.
Mini case study
Mei Ling, head of operations for a Singapore logistics operator, manages 25 drivers via phone calls and a spreadsheet. She invests 31 M FCFA (EUR 47,000) in an MVP delivered in 11 weeks (dispatch, routing, driver app, proof of delivery, mobile-money collection). Result: dispatch time drops from 3 minutes to 20 seconds per job, and first-attempt delivery success climbs from 78% to 91%. Across 3,000 jobs/month, the 13-point gain avoids about 390 re-deliveries, an estimated saving of 1.2 to 1.8 M FCFA/month in fuel and driver time.
FAQ
Why is the driver app so costly (6-10 M FCFA)? Because it must work on 3G, handle offline mode, continuous geolocation and photo/signature capture. It is the couriers' operational tool; its reliability governs the whole operation.
Is mobile payment essential from the MVP? Yes in West Africa and many emerging markets: a large share of cash-on-delivery flows through mobile money. Integration (3 to 6 M FCFA) includes confirmation webhooks and automatic reconciliation.
How much is monthly operation? Plan 450,000 to 1.1 M FCFA/month for 3,000 jobs, excluding variable mobile-money fees (1.2 to 1.8%). These costs must be passed into the per-delivery price.
Can we launch without route optimisation? Yes, you can launch an MVP with assisted manual dispatch and add automatic optimisation in V1. That saves 4 to 7 M FCFA at launch, reinvested once volume is proven.
Let's scope your project. Give us your driver count, monthly job volume and budget (22-40 M FCFA), and we will cost your last-mile platform module by module. 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.
