The verdict in three sentences
A microfinance institution (MFI) managing loans, savings, branches and compliance across scattered tools risks portfolio errors and late regulatory reporting. A custom platform (15 to 60 million FCFA / about EUR 23,000-91,000 in 2026) or a core-banking SaaS centralises the portfolio, automates scoring and connects mobile money. The real stake: improving recovery and lowering cost per branch.
Custom or core-banking SaaS: the math
Core-banking SaaS starts fast but often bills per active account or transaction; custom is justified when the portfolio grows or products are specific. 2026 order of magnitude for an MFI with 12,000 clients:
| Criterion | Core-banking SaaS | Custom Kolonell build |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3 to 10M FCFA (setup) | 15 to 60M FCFA |
| Annual cost | 8 to 20M FCFA/yr | 3 to 8M FCFA (maintenance) |
| 5-year cost | 43 to 110M FCFA | 30 to 100M FCFA |
| Product customisation | Limited | Total |
| Mobile money integration | Vendor-dependent | Wave, Orange Money, MTN native |
| Regulatory reporting | Standard | Custom, automated |
| Data ownership | Vendor holds it | You hold it |
Beyond 10,000 active accounts or with atypical loan products, custom becomes competitive and avoids billing that climbs with volume.
What the budget covers and the ROI
Price tracks scope and branch count. 2026 estimate:
| Module | Scope | Range (M FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Loan management | Origination, schedules, provisions, PAR | 4 to 12 |
| Savings & accounts | Deposits, withdrawals, interest | 3 to 8 |
| Scoring & risk | Rules, history, alerts | 3 to 9 |
| Multi-branch | Consolidation, rights, cash | 2 to 7 |
| Mobile money | Wave/OM disbursement & repayment | 2 to 8 |
| Regulatory reporting | Automated statutory statements | 2 to 6 |
Mobile money integration transforms recovery: repayments via Wave/Orange Money, automatic reminders and instant disbursement lower the portfolio at risk (PAR30) and field collection cost.
Mini case study
Mr. Kone, director of an MFI (12,500 clients, 9 branches), had a PAR30 of 11 % and high field-agent collection cost. He invests 38 million FCFA in custom software with loan management, scoring, regulatory reporting and mobile money repayment.
Result over 12 months: PAR30 down from 11 % to 7 % (-36 %), i.e. about 45 million FCFA of receivables better secured; cost per branch down 20 % through digitisation; regulatory reporting from 6 days to 1. ROI reached in about 20 months, maintenance included.
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FAQ
What does custom microfinance software cost in 2026?
15 to 60 million FCFA depending on modules and branch count. A core of loans + savings + reporting starts around 18 million FCFA.
Can it integrate Wave and Orange Money?
Yes, natively. Loan disbursement and instalment repayment via mobile money reduce PAR30 and collection cost.
Is regulatory reporting automated?
Yes. Statutory statements are generated automatically from portfolio data, cutting production time from 6 days to 1.
Are we compliant with regional microfinance requirements?
Yes. The tool builds in provisioning rules, PAR tracking and the statements expected by the regional regulator.
How long does deployment take?
Around 5 to 9 months depending on scope and branch count, with a progressive branch-by-branch switchover.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your client count, branches, loan products and indicative budget. 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.
