The verdict in three sentences
For a consumer goods distributor running 80 field sales reps in Senegal, an offline-first PWA (an installable web app that works without network) costs 10,000,000 to 22,000,000 FCFA (about 15,000 to 33,500 EUR) in 2026, depending on how deep the ERP integration goes. The heart of the project is not the interface but deferred synchronisation: an order captured in Kaffrine without 3G must reach head office intact, with no duplicates. Done properly, the app pays for itself in 6 to 10 months through eliminated re-keying and faster stock-out detection.
What the app must do, module by module
An FMCG sales force (drinks, cooking oil, soap, dairy) has very concrete needs: planned rounds, order taking at the shopkeeper, partial collections, shelf photos, competitor price checks. All of it must work where the network drops, on entry-level Android phones costing 60,000 to 90,000 FCFA.
| Module | Key function | Indicative 2026 budget (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offline PWA core | App cache, local IndexedDB store, sync queue | 2,500,000 to 4,500,000 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Order taking | Catalogue, customer pricing, discounts, PDF order form | 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Visit geolocation | GPS check-in, deviation from route, time spent per outlet | 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Shelf photos | Compressed capture, timestamp, share of shelf | 800,000 to 2,000,000 | 2 weeks |
| Real-time dashboard | Sales by zone, visit rate, stock-outs, rep ranking | 1,800,000 to 4,500,000 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| ERP integration (Sage, Odoo, SAP B1) | Order export, stock and price import | 1,500,000 to 4,500,000 | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Total | 10,000,000 to 22,000,000 | 4 to 6 months |
The low end means a CSV export to the ERP and a standard dashboard. The high end includes two-way stock sync, complex discount rules and per-wholesaler reporting.
Offline architecture: the choices that matter
A well-built PWA downloads the catalogue once (often 300 to 1,500 SKUs) and then only fetches changes. That is what makes the tool usable on 3G, where real throughput outside Dakar is often 1 to 3 Mbit/s.
| Technical choice | Budget option | Robust option | Field impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local storage | localStorage | IndexedDB with versioned schema | Holds 5,000 pending orders without slowing down |
| Synchronisation | Manual send button | Automatic queue with retry and unique ID | Zero duplicates, zero lost orders |
| Stock conflicts | Last write wins | Provisional reservation and supervisor alert | Fewer undeliverable orders |
| Photos | Raw 3 to 4 MB JPEG | Compressed to 150 to 250 KB before upload | Data bill divided by 10 to 15 |
| Mobile data per rep | 2 to 3 GB per month | 300 to 600 MB per month | 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA plan instead of 10,000 |
| App updates | Reinstall APK | Silent service worker update | No trip to head office |
A PWA also avoids Play Store publishing fees and delays, and opens from a simple link. For 80 reps, the data plan savings alone amount to roughly 400,000 to 500,000 FCFA per month.
Recurring costs to plan for
After go-live, budget for hosting (cloud server and database, 60,000 to 180,000 FCFA per month depending on volume), corrective and evolutive maintenance (200,000 to 450,000 FCFA per month) and a small supervisor training budget. Allow half a day of training per wave of 20 reps: adoption depends on how simple the order screen is, not on the number of features.
Mini case study
Modou, sales director of a drinks and cooking oil distributor in Dakar, manages 80 reps. Before the project, every paper order is re-keyed at head office by 4 operators, with about 6% quantity or SKU errors. The chosen project costs 15,500,000 FCFA, plus 320,000 FCFA per month for maintenance and hosting.
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- Re-keying eliminated: 4 positions reassigned, about 1,000,000 FCFA per month of payroll freed.
- Delivery errors: down from 6% to 1% on 180,000,000 FCFA monthly revenue, with an estimated error cost of 1.5% of the affected amount, about 135,000 FCFA saved per month.
- Mobile data: 450,000 FCFA saved per month thanks to compression.
- Extra sales from stock-outs detected within 24 h instead of a week: a cautious 0.5% of revenue, i.e. 900,000 FCFA gross margin per month at a 20% margin.
Estimated monthly gain: about 2,165,000 FCFA, minus 320,000 FCFA recurring costs, i.e. 1,845,000 FCFA net. Payback in just over 8 months, a 2026 order of magnitude.
FAQ
Do we need a native app rather than a PWA?
For order taking, photos and GPS, a PWA is enough in over 90% of cases in 2026. Native is mainly justified for advanced Bluetooth printing or NFC reading, at a 30 to 50% premium.
How long can a rep work without network?
With IndexedDB, several days without trouble: 5,000 orders and 2,000 compressed photos fit in under 600 MB. Sync happens automatically as soon as 3G or wifi returns.
Which phones should we buy?
A recent Android with 2 or 3 GB of RAM, between 60,000 and 90,000 FCFA, is enough. Add an 8,000 FCFA power bank, as GPS uses 10 to 15% of battery per round.
Can we collect Wave or Orange Money payments at the outlet?
Yes, a payment link or QR code can be generated with the order, for an extra 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA. Merchant fees remain the operator's, around 1% on Wave.
How do we detect fake visits?
Check-in combines GPS position, time and a timestamped photo of the outlet. A gap of more than 200 metres from the registered address triggers a supervisor alert.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of reps, your current ERP and your sales territories: we will price the scope, give an indicative budget and a phased rollout plan. 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.
