The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a professional online store in Dakar costs 1,500,000-5,000,000 FCFA depending on catalogue and features, delivered in 4-8 weeks. The decisive conversion factor is mobile-money acceptance (Wave, Orange Money) on top of card: without it, you lose most local buyers. A mobile-first checkout on 3G networks matters as much as the catalogue itself.
Cost per tier in 2026
Price depends on product count, payment methods and automation level (stock, delivery, notifications).
| Tier | Scope | Delay | 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Up to 50 products, Wave + OM | 4 weeks | 1,500,000 FCFA |
| Growth | Unlimited catalogue, + card + promos | 5-6 weeks | 2,500,000-3,000,000 FCFA |
| Premium | + PWA, loyalty, multi-currency | 6-8 weeks | 4,000,000-5,000,000 FCFA |
| Delivery option | Tracking + auto fee calc | +1 week | +400,000-800,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance | Hosting + updates | monthly | 50,000-150,000 FCFA/month |
An optimised mobile checkout and SMS/WhatsApp order notifications are among the most profitable line items.
Transaction fees per payment method
Margin is decided on fees and failure rate. 2026 orders of magnitude in Senegal:
| Payment method | Indicative fees | Failure rate | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | ~1 % | 2-4 % | Near instant |
| Orange Money | 1-1.5 % | 4-7 % | T+1 |
| Free Money | 1-1.5 % | 4-8 % | T+1 |
| Card (Visa/MC) | 2.5-3.5 % | 6-12 % | T+2 to T+7 |
| Cash on delivery | Logistics cost | High returns | On receipt |
Wave, with low fees and fast settlement, is often the priority method; card remains essential for the diaspora and international sales.
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Mini case study
Aminata, owner of a ready-to-wear store in Dakar, sold only via Instagram and cash on delivery (30 % returns). With a Growth store at 2,800,000 FCFA (Wave + Orange Money + card), her returns drop to 6 % and monthly revenue rises from 3,200,000 to 5,400,000 FCFA. Payback in about 6 weeks, before logistics savings.
FAQ
Are Wave and Orange Money hard to integrate? Not with a unified module: we connect the APIs, test the confirmation webhooks and handle timeouts. The key is testing each webhook with real amounts before going live.
Do I need a PWA from the start? Not necessarily. A fast, mobile-first site is enough at launch; the PWA (Premium tier) is justified when recurring mobile traffic is high.
How much is maintenance? Budget 50,000-150,000 FCFA/month for hosting, security updates and support. Plan for it from the start.
Is cash on delivery still useful? Yes to reassure new customers, but it drives returns and ties up cash. We frame it (zones, thresholds) to limit abuse.
Can I sell internationally? Yes, by enabling card and multi-currency (Premium tier). The diaspora is often a high-basket segment.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your product count, target payment methods (Wave, OM, card) and revenue goal: we will price the store and the fees. 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.
