The verdict in three sentences
Delivery platforms take 25 to 30% commission on every order: on an 8,000 FCFA basket, that's over 2,000 FCFA leaving your margin. A dedicated delivery application (ordering, driver assignment, tracking, payment) costs 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA once, then it's yours. From 300 to 400 orders per month, the avoided commission repays the app in one to three months, and you win back the customer relationship.
Platform vs dedicated app: the real math
The platform is free to join but costs a percentage forever. The dedicated app is an upfront investment then near-zero cost. Here is the comparison for a delivering restaurant.
| Item | Platform (25–30%) | Dedicated app |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 FCFA | 1,000,000 – 3,000,000 FCFA |
| Commission per order | 2,000 – 2,400 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Ownership of customer data | No | Yes |
| Monthly fees | Variable (volume) | Hosting ~40,000 FCFA |
| Drivers | Platform | Yours (or provider) |
| Margin kept | 70–75% | ~98% |
The app's modules and their cost
A useful delivery app is a few well-built modules. No need to build everything at once; start with the essentials.
| Module | What it does | Indicative 2026 cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Customer ordering | Catalog, cart, address | 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Driver assignment | Allocation and status | 250,000 – 500,000 |
| Real-time order tracking | Customer sees order progress | 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Wave / Orange Money payment | Payment at order | 200,000 – 400,000 |
| Zones and delivery fees | Rate by neighborhood | 150,000 – 300,000 |
| Manager dashboard | Orders, drivers, revenue | 200,000 – 450,000 |
Mini case study
Awa runs a Dakar restaurant doing 400 delivery orders a month at an 8,000 FCFA average basket. Through a platform at 28%, she gives up 2,240 FCFA per order, or 896,000 FCFA a month in commission. With a dedicated 2,000,000 FCFA app and about 40,000 FCFA of monthly hosting, she pays no more commission. By the third month the app is repaid; after that, it's nearly 850,000 FCFA of margin kept every month, plus a customer base that becomes hers, reusable for loyalty and promotions.
FAQ
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From how many orders does a dedicated app pay off?
Generally from 300 to 400 orders a month. Below that, the platform may stay relevant while you build volume.
Who manages drivers if I leave the platform?
You do, with your own salaried drivers or a local provider. The app handles assignment and tracking; the human logistics remain yours to organize.
Is real-time tracking essential?
Not mandatory at launch, but it sharply cuts "where's my order?" calls and boosts satisfaction. You can add it in phase 2.
What does monthly hosting cost?
Budget 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA a month depending on volume, nothing like a platform's 25–30%.
Can I combine platform and dedicated app?
Yes, many restaurants keep the platform for visibility and push regulars toward the dedicated app to save the commission.
Let's talk about your project. We'll compute your platform-vs-app break-even from your real order volume. 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.
