The rider who made me do the maths
Cheikh delivers for three apps at once from his yellow-and-black Jakarta bought brand-new for 750,000 FCFA in Bourguiba in 2024. Onibi in the morning (restaurant deliveries), Yango Delivery in the afternoon (e-commerce, pharmacies), Jumia Food in the evening. When we ran into him one Saturday on the Auchan Almadies car park, he had just finished his 23rd delivery of the day. The result? 9,200 FCFA in pocket, 14 hours on the saddle.
Cheikh is one of 18,000 to 25,000 two-wheeler couriers covering Dakar and Thiès in 2026. The Senegalese moto-delivery gig economy has exploded in 5 years, fuelled by three forces: accelerated urbanisation, the post-Covid e-commerce boom, and the supply of low-cost Chinese bikes (Jakarta, Kymco, TVS, Sanya).
At Kolonell we support two players in the space (one dark kitchen + one pharmacy-delivery platform). Here is what you need to know if you are building in this vertical in 2026.
The terrain: who delivers what in Dakar
| Platform | Dakar launch | Estimated daily volume | Driver commission | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onibi | 2021 | 8,000-12,000 | 18-22 % | Restaurants |
| Yango Delivery | 2023 | 6,000-10,000 | 15-20 % | Multi-category |
| Jumia Food | 2018 | 4,000-7,000 | 20-25 % | Premium restaurants |
| Glovo (relaunched '25) | 2025 | 2,500-4,500 | 17-22 % | Restaurants + pharma |
| Independents | - | 15,000-25,000 | 0 % (cash) | B2B, private runs |
Total market sits around 40,000 to 55,000 deliveries/day in Dakar in 2026, half of which still informal (WhatsApp-ordered, cash on delivery). Onibi took the restaurant lead after buying Glovo's local assets in 2022, before Glovo relaunched in 2025.
The real maths for a Jakarta rider
Let's lay out the numbers for Cheikh, full-time multi-app rider.
Initial investment:
- Brand-new Jakarta: 750,000 FCFA
- Regulatory helmet + vest: 35,000 FCFA
- Insulated delivery bag: 25,000 FCFA
- A1 license + registration + year 1 insurance: 110,000 FCFA
- Total cash out: ~920,000 FCFA
Monthly costs:
- Fuel (5 L/day × 26 days × 775 FCFA): ~100,000 FCFA
- Maintenance (oil + tyres + belt): 18,000 – 30,000 FCFA
- Delivery insurance (~80,000 FCFA/year amortised): ~7,000 FCFA
- Mobile data (6 GB plan): 12,000 FCFA
- Bike amortisation over 24 months: ~31,000 FCFA
- Total monthly costs: 168,000 – 180,000 FCFA / month
Gross revenue: 25 deliveries/day × 26 days × average 850 FCFA rider share = ~550,000 FCFA / month.
Net take-home: 370,000 – 380,000 FCFA / month in the best case. More than twice a Yango driver, but with much higher physical risk (frequent accidents, helmet sometimes missing, exhausting riding).
Underestimated risks
First, the accident. Dakar motorbike claims are ~3.5× higher than car claims per vehicle-kilometre. Three riders we know personally were hospitalised in 2025-2026. Without proper delivery insurance (~80,000 FCFA/year), a 6-week sick leave = 500,000 FCFA of lost revenue + medical fees.
Second, motorbike theft. Dakar is seeing a surge of yellow Jakarta thefts (resold in Mali, Mauritania, Guinea). Anti-theft locks + GPS recommended (~45,000 FCFA for the full kit).
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Third, burnout. 14 hours of riding 6 days a week is not sustainable beyond 24-30 months without major physical damage. Serious players in the sector are starting to bake this into product design (mandatory break planning, loyalty bonuses).
Where the market goes in 2026-2028
Three structural trends are emerging:
Medical verticalisation. Pharmacy / lab sample delivery is booming in Dakar — steady flow, higher average basket (1,800-3,500 FCFA), loyal clientele. At least three startups target this vertical in 2026.
Cargo & B2B. Light pallet delivery for SMEs (bakeries, distributors, e-merchants), tickets of 4,000-8,000 FCFA. Onibi launched a dedicated offer late 2025.
Subscription delivery. Monthly user subscription (4 deliveries/month for 8,000 FCFA), model lifted from India and Brazil, worth serious testing on Almadies / Mermoz / Plateau.
Conclusion: a consolidating sector
Dakar's moto-delivery gig economy will consolidate in 2026-2028 around 2-3 major players + a long tail of independents. Margins will stay tight, riders will keep carrying physical and economic risk. Innovation will come from verticals (pharma, B2B, subscription) rather than horizontal generalists.
To build the platform, brand and rider onboarding flow: WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33 or brief us at /en/free-quote. We send back an MVP scope + 12-month budget.
FAQ
How much does an Onibi rider really earn in Dakar in 2026?
Between 280,000 and 380,000 FCFA net per month for a full-time rider with his own Jakarta, after fuel, maintenance and amortisation. Salaried dark-kitchen riders earn 180,000 to 250,000 FCFA, bike provided.
Better to buy a new or used bike for delivery?
New. A new Jakarta at 750,000 FCFA + 12-month warranty runs 80,000-110,000 km. A used one at 450,000 FCFA rarely exceeds 30,000 km before heavy breakdowns. Net ROI is favourable to new over 18 months of intensive use.
What insurance for a Dakar delivery bike?
Plan 75,000 to 100,000 FCFA per year for third-party + rider personal-injury cover. SUNU, Allianz, SAAR and AXA Senegal have offered dedicated gig-economy products since 2024. Never ride without third-party — the fine and bike seizure are systematic.
Which secondary cities are realistic targets after Dakar?
Thiès (solid volume, weak competition), Mbour (seasonal but lucrative in summer), Saint-Louis (student + restaurants), Touba (Magal volumes + diaspora). Kaolack and Ziguinchor remain too small for a national player.
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.
