The verdict in three sentences
In Abidjan in 2026, custom logistics and transport software costs between 8,000,000 and 25,000,000 FCFA (roughly 12,000 to 38,000 EUR locally), depending on whether you digitize transport orders and fleet tracking or add mobile delivery notes and offline mode. The decisive factor is not budget but network resilience: in areas with intermittent 3G, software that demands a permanent connection is unusable in the field. Plan a 10 to 20 week project and managed hosting of 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA/month.
Cost per module in FCFA — 2026
An Ivorian carrier does not share a European shipper's priorities: geolocation and mobile delivery notes outweigh fine algorithmic optimization. The budget reads brick by brick.
| Module | Function | 2026 range (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport orders | Entry, driver assignment, statuses | 1,500,000 – 3,500,000 |
| Geolocation / fleet tracking | Position, history, alerts | 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 |
| Mobile delivery notes | Driver app, signature, photo | 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 |
| Offline mode (offline-first) | Deferred sync, queue | 1,500,000 – 4,000,000 |
| Transport invoicing | Rates, rebilling, receipts | 1,000,000 – 3,000,000 |
| Operations dashboard | Fleet KPIs, delays, costs | 1,000,000 – 3,500,000 |
A core of orders + geolocation + delivery notes starts around 8,000,000 – 13,000,000 FCFA. Adding robust offline mode, invoicing and dashboard brings the project to 18,000,000 – 25,000,000 FCFA.
The real constraint: the network, and FCFA vs EUR cost
In West Africa, data coverage is uneven and local build cost is lower than Europe. Two tables to decide: the network constraints to absorb, and the FCFA/EUR equivalence for an international decision maker comparing options.
| Field constraint | Impact if ignored | Technical response |
|---|---|---|
| Intermittent 3G outside Abidjan | App unusable on routes | Offline-first, deferred sync |
| Data cost for drivers | Refusal to use | Lightweight app, compression, optimized photos |
| Power outages | Lost data entry | Local cache, persistent queue |
| Entry-level handsets | Slowness, crashes | Light native app, no bloat |
| Non-standardized addresses | Failed deliveries | GPS points + landmarks, no postal addressing |
| Scope | FCFA price | EUR equivalent (approx.) |
| Core (orders + geoloc + mobile notes) | 8,000,000 – 13,000,000 | 12,000 – 20,000 |
| Intermediate (+ offline + invoicing) | 14,000,000 – 19,000,000 | 21,000 – 29,000 |
| Full (+ dashboard + integrations) | 20,000,000 – 25,000,000 | 30,000 – 38,000 |
| Equivalent Europe build (reference) | — | 35,000 – 100,000 |
Mini case study
Koffi, manager of a 15-truck transport company in Abidjan, runs orders over WhatsApp and paper; 12% of delivery notes get lost, causing payment disputes. He invests 14,500,000 FCFA in a core of orders + geolocation + mobile delivery notes with offline mode, delivered in 15 weeks. Result: lost notes drop below 1%, invoicing disputes fall, and invoicing moves from 10 days to 2 days after delivery. Faster collection on ~450 deliveries/month frees nearly 6,000,000 FCFA of cash, and the tool pays back in under 14 months thanks to fewer disputes.
FAQ
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Why pay for custom instead of a European TMS?
European TMS assume permanent networks, postal addressing and recent handsets — three false assumptions in the West African field. Software built offline-first, in FCFA, adapted to local GPS landmarks, costs less and is actually used.
Is offline mode truly essential?
Yes, it is the non-negotiable module. Without it, the moment a driver leaves coverage, they can no longer confirm a delivery. Budget 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA for robust offline-first with deferred sync.
Can we connect existing GPS boxes?
Yes. If your trucks already have trackers, we integrate their data rather than buying new ones, which cuts cost. Otherwise, geolocation via the driver app is often enough to start.
What maintenance budget?
Plan 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA/month depending on fleet size, for hosting, updates and support. Also budget the drivers' data plans.
How long to go live?
Between 10 and 20 weeks. A core of orders + geolocation + delivery notes can deploy in 10 weeks, with offline and invoicing reinforcing it in phase 2.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your fleet size, delivery zones and network constraints: we'll scope software between 8,000,000 and 25,000,000 FCFA. 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.
