E-commerce11 min read

Online store build cost breakdown across Africa (2026)

Mohamed Bah·Fondateur, Kolonell
August 13, 2026
Share:
Online store build cost breakdown across Africa (2026)

Online store build cost breakdown across Africa (2026)

E-commerce

The verdict in three sentences

An online store has no single price but five cost levers: catalogue, payment, delivery, design and maintenance. In 2026, a serious entry point sits around 1,000,000 FCFA and the high end near 6,000,000 FCFA. The right budget is not the lowest one: it's the one that covers your real conversion needs.

The 5 levers that set the price

Two stores on the same "plan" can cost anywhere from one to three times as much depending on these five items. Understanding each lever avoids the misleading quote and maintenance surprises.

LeverWhat drives the price up2026 order of magnitude
CatalogueVariants, stock, bulk import+100,000 to +800,000 FCFA
PaymentWave, OM, Stripe, multi-currency+150,000 to +600,000 FCFA
DeliveryZones, auto-calc, tracking+100,000 to +500,000 FCFA
DesignCustom, animations, PWA+200,000 to +1,500,000 FCFA
MaintenanceSecurity, backups, support50,000 to 200,000 /mo

The grid by tier

At Kolonell, three tiers cover most e-commerce needs across West and Central Africa. Prices are shown in FCFA and euros.

TierFCFAEURFor whom
Starter1,000,000 - 1,500,0001,525 - 2,285 €Up to 50 products, Wave + OM
Growth2,000,000 - 3,000,0003,050 - 4,570 €Unlimited catalogue, Stripe, promos
Premium4,000,000 - 6,000,0006,100 - 9,150 €PWA, loyalty, multi-currency, AI
Maintenance50,000 - 200,000 /mo76 - 305 € /moAll tiers
Hosting25,000 - 75,000 /mo38 - 114 € /moAll tiers

The Starter suits a local store with Wave and Orange Money. Growth adds Stripe, promo codes, verified reviews and seller analytics. Premium targets maximum performance: PWA, loyalty program, FCFA/EUR/USD multi-currency and AI recommendations.

Mini case study

Awa, who runs a shop in Dakar, hesitates between Starter at 1,200,000 FCFA and Growth at 2,200,000 FCFA. She sells 120 orders/month at 25,000 FCFA, or 3,000,000 FCFA. Growth's promo codes and Stripe bring ~10% more sales, about 300,000 FCFA/month. The 1,000,000 FCFA extra pays back in just over 3 months: Growth is the right choice for her.

FAQ

Need a professional website?

Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.

Why do prices vary so much?

Because five levers (catalogue, payment, delivery, design, maintenance) weigh differently. The same store can cost one to three times as much depending on your real needs.

Which tier should I pick to start?

Starter (1,000,000 - 1,500,000 FCFA) is enough for a local store with Wave and Orange Money and up to 50 products.

Is maintenance mandatory?

It's strongly recommended: 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month covers security, backups and support. Without it, a store degrades quickly.

How much is hosting?

Between 25,000 and 75,000 FCFA per month depending on traffic and performance needs, often billed separately from maintenance.

Can I start small and scale?

Yes: you can launch on Starter then migrate to Growth or Premium without rebuilding, adding payments, promos or a PWA as you grow.

Let's talk about your project. We'll price your store across its 5 levers, in FCFA and euros, with no surprises. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.

Tags:#online store price#e-commerce cost#africa#pricing grid#pricing#maintenance#e-commerce#budget
Share:

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.