The verdict in three sentences
A custom school software (8,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA) centralizes enrollment, academics, grades and fee payment in one tool tailored to your group. The parent portal (+3,000,000 FCFA) and the payment module (+2,000,000 FCFA) automate reminders and collection, where unpaid fees hurt. For a school group of several hundred students, the gain is measured in 5 hours/week of recovery and reduced arrears.
Custom quote by module
| Module | 2026 indicative price (FCFA) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment + student records | 2,000,000-4,000,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Academics + grades + report cards | 2,500,000-5,000,000 | 4-6 wks |
| Parent portal (tracking, messaging) | +3,000,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Fee payment module (mobile money, card) | +2,000,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Management dashboard + stats | 1,500,000-3,500,000 | 2-4 wks |
| Monthly maintenance | 250,000-600,000/month | ongoing |
A full build lands between 12 and 18 weeks, with go-live before the school year if the project starts at the end of the previous one.
ROI on unpaid fees
| Indicator | Before software | After software (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Fee arrears rate | 12% | 6% |
| Manual reminders/month | 40 h | 8 h |
| Average collection delay | 38 days | 18 days |
| Extra fees recovered/year | — | 9,000,000-15,000,000 |
| Project cost (payment + portal) | — | 5,000,000-8,000,000 |
For a group billing several hundred million FCFA of tuition a year, halving the arrears rate repays the software in under a year.
Mini case study
Mr. O'Brien, founder of a private school group in Dublin (650 students, 420,000 FCFA average fees/year) bills about 273,000,000 FCFA/year. At 12% arrears, that is ~32,760,000 FCFA uncollected. By cutting the rate to 6% via the parent portal and online payment, he recovers ~16,380,000 FCFA/year. He invests 13,000,000 FCFA in the software (portal + payment included) and also saves 5 hours a week of reminders. The investment pays back in under a year on recovery alone.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Isn't a spreadsheet or generic tool enough?
For a small school, maybe. From several hundred students and multiple sites, custom avoids double entry, secures grades and automates fee reminders.
Can parents pay fees online?
Yes, the payment module integrates mobile money and card, with automatic receipt and accounting reconciliation. Budget +2,000,000 FCFA in 2026.
Is the parent portal really useful?
Yes: grades, absences, messaging and fee deadlines in real time cut calls to administration and speed up payments. Budget +3,000,000 FCFA.
What maintenance budget should I plan?
Between 250,000 and 600,000 FCFA/month depending on sites and students, covering hosting, support and evolutions (new report cards, fee rules).
Can we be ready for the new school year?
Yes if the project starts 12 to 18 weeks ahead. A first lot (enrollment + payment) can ship in 6 to 8 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your student count, number of sites and priority modules (academics, portal, payment). 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.
