The verdict in three sentences
A Burkina Faso distributor of solar home systems and mini-grids with 18,000 customers pays a PAYG platform FCFA 65 to 195 M a year (about USD 108,000 to 324,000), while custom software costs FCFA 20 to 45 M once (about USD 33,000 to 75,000), plus maintenance. The real gain is in collections, which can rise from 82 % to 93 % through Orange Money and Moov Money reminders and automated remote lockout. For London-based impact investors, the software also determines how fast and how reliably portfolio KPIs reach the fund.
The modules of solar customer management software
The business combines energy distribution, consumer credit and micro-payment collection. The software must link the contract, the equipment, the meter and every mobile payment, with no manual entry.
| Module | Function | 2026 cost (FCFA excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts and customer KYC | ID, geolocation, guarantor, signature | 2,500,000 to 5,000,000 |
| Kits and meters | Serial numbers, installation, maintenance, returns | 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 |
| Instalment payments | Schedule, Orange Money, Moov Money, Wave, agents | 4,000,000 to 9,000,000 |
| Remote lockout and reactivation | Smart meter APIs, tokens, grace rules | 3,500,000 to 8,000,000 |
| Collections | SMS reminders, scoring, field agent rounds | 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 |
| Mini-grids | kWh consumption, tariffs, network losses | 2,500,000 to 6,000,000 |
| Lender and investor reporting | Active customers, PAR 30, CO2 impact, SDG 7 | 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 |
The low end (FCFA 20 M) covers solar home systems only with two mobile operators. The high end (FCFA 45 M) adds mini-grids, several meter brands and reporting aligned with impact fund requirements.
PAYG platform or custom build: the five-year math
PAYG platforms charge USD 0.50 to 1.50 per customer per month, about FCFA 300 to 900. They deploy fast, but their cost scales with the fleet.
| Criterion | PAYG platform | Custom build (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | FCFA 0 to 5 M (integration) | FCFA 20 to 45 M |
| Recurring cost for 18,000 customers | FCFA 65 to 195 M a year | FCFA 3 to 7 M a year (maintenance, hosting) |
| Five-year cost (stable fleet) | FCFA 325 to 975 M | FCFA 35 to 80 M |
| Go-live time | 1 to 3 months | 5 to 8 months |
| Orange Money and Moov Money | Varies by country | Native |
| Multi-brand meters | Often limited | Yes, via connectors |
| Data ownership | Hosted by vendor | Yours |
The main risk of a custom build is the transition: plan 4 to 6 weeks of parallel running and a zone-by-zone migration.
What London impact investors require
Funds financing off-grid solar, many of them in London, expect standardised monthly reporting: active customers, portfolio at risk at 30 days, repayment rate, kWh delivered and tonnes of CO2 avoided. Software that produces these indicators automatically saves the finance team 5 to 8 days a month, reduces data disputes during due diligence and speeds up debt raises. Investors should ask portfolio companies for audit trails on every payment and lockout event.
Mini case study
Issouf runs a solar kit company in Ouagadougou: 18,000 customers, average monthly instalment of FCFA 5,000. Expected annual billing: FCFA 1.08 billion (about USD 1.8 M). At 82 % collection, FCFA 194 M goes unpaid each year.
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After custom software costing FCFA 32 M with automated reminders and remote lockout, collection rises to 93 %. Gain: 11 points × FCFA 1.08 billion = FCFA 119 M a year (about USD 198,000). He also drops a PAYG platform rented at USD 1 per customer (about FCFA 130 M a year). Payback in under 4 months.
FAQ
How much does solar customer management software cost in Ouagadougou?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, FCFA 20 to 45 M depending on modules and meter brands. Maintenance is 10 to 15 % a year.
Can payments be collected via Orange Money and Moov Money?
Yes, both operators offer merchant APIs in Burkina Faso. Collection fees range from 1 % to 2 % per transaction depending on the negotiated contract.
Is remote lockout legal?
It must be in the contract signed by the customer, with a grace period (often 3 to 7 days) and SMS notice. The software applies these rules automatically.
What happens when the mobile network is down in a village?
Token-based meters work offline: the customer enters a code received by SMS or from an agent. Data syncs once the network returns.
At what size does custom software pay off?
Typically from 8,000 to 10,000 customers, when PAYG fees exceed FCFA 30 M (about USD 50,000) a year.
Let's scope your project. Share your customer count, meters and mobile operators and we will price software between FCFA 20 and 45 M with a 5 to 8 month 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.
