The verdict in three sentences
For an agency above 500 units, custom property and condominium management software pays for itself in under 18 months in Dakar. The main lever is not data entry: it is rent collection through Wave and Orange Money wired automatically to invoicing, which cuts arrears from 11% to 5%. Realistic 2026 budget: 8,000,000 to 16,000,000 FCFA (about 12,200 to 24,400 EUR), delivered in 12 to 16 weeks.
If you are a London-based landlord or investor with property in Senegal, this is also the checklist to hand your Dakar agency.
What the software must cover, module by module
A Dakar agency runs two businesses: letting management for owners (often in the diaspora, in London, Paris or Montreal) and condominium management for newer buildings in Almadies, Mermoz or along the VDN. Imported European tools handle mobile money poorly, along with two-to-three-month deposits and owners who want to track income from abroad.
| Module | Key features | Indicative 2026 cost (FCFA excl. tax) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent invoicing and leases | Leases, reviews, PDF receipts, SMS due notices | 1,800,000 to 3,200,000 | 3 weeks |
| Wave / Orange Money collection | Per-tenant payment link, automatic matching, receipt | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Arrears reminders | Reminders at D+3, D+10, D+20 via SMS and WhatsApp, formal notice | 900,000 to 1,800,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Condominium accounting | Service charge calls, budget, allocation by shares, works fund | 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Owner portal | Statements, payouts, documents, FCFA/EUR/GBP display | 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 | 2 weeks |
| Maintenance requests | Tenant tickets, contractors, photos, quote tracking | 600,000 to 1,500,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Total | 8,000,000 to 16,000,000 | 12 to 16 weeks |
The low ranges assume a standard scope with a single lease model. The high ranges include full condominium accounting and export to the accounting firm.
Custom build, foreign SaaS or spreadsheet: the numbers
| Criterion | Spreadsheet + WhatsApp | European SaaS | Custom software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 FCFA | 300,000 to 800,000 FCFA (setup) | 8,000,000 to 16,000,000 FCFA |
| Annual cost (900 units) | 0 FCFA | 4,700,000 to 7,900,000 FCFA (0.60 to 1 EUR per unit per month) | 1,200,000 to 2,400,000 FCFA (hosting, maintenance) |
| Wave / Orange Money payment | Manual, screenshots | Missing or via third-party gateway | Native via API, automatic matching |
| Observed arrears rate | 10 to 14% | 8 to 10% | 4 to 6% |
| Condominium and shares | Separate file | Often a paid add-on | Included |
| Data ownership | Yes | No, limited export | Yes, code and database handed over |
Over five years, the European SaaS costs 23 to 40 million FCFA for 900 units without native mobile money. The custom build comes to 14 to 28 million FCFA including maintenance, and the agency owns it.
Mobile money collection: how it works
On the 25th of each month, every tenant receives an SMS or WhatsApp message with a unique payment link. A Wave payment (1% merchant fee) or Orange Money payment (1 to 1.5% depending on contract) triggers a webhook: the receipt is generated, the tenant account is cleared and the owner statement is updated. No more screenshots to check, no more lost paper receipts. Late payers are chased automatically, with a tone that escalates step by step.
Mini case study
Mrs Ndiaye runs a letting agency in Dakar: 900 units, average rent 220,000 FCFA, 12 condominium buildings. Monthly invoiced rent reaches 198,000,000 FCFA.
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- Arrears before: 11%, i.e. 21,780,000 FCFA per month late or lost.
- Arrears after: 5%, i.e. 9,900,000 FCFA.
- Cash gain: 11,880,000 FCFA per month under management. With an 8% management fee, the agency recovers about 950,000 FCFA in fees per month that were sitting idle.
- Time saved: two accountants no longer reconcile payments by hand, about 60 hours per month.
With a 12,000,000 FCFA project, payback arrives in 12 to 13 months, before counting new mandates won thanks to the owner portal.
FAQ
How much does custom property management software cost in Dakar in 2026?
Budget 8,000,000 to 16,000,000 FCFA excl. tax (about 12,200 to 24,400 EUR) for an agency with 500 to 1,500 units, depending on condominium scope. Annual maintenance is 15 to 20% of the initial cost.
Can rent be collected directly through Wave and Orange Money?
Yes, through merchant APIs, with fees of 1% at Wave and 1 to 1.5% at Orange Money. Matching with the receipt is automatic in under 30 seconds.
Does the software handle condominium accounting?
Yes: quarterly service charge calls, allocation by shares, works fund and general meeting. This module accounts for 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA of the budget.
Can diaspora owners in London follow their properties?
The owner portal shows rent collected, charges and payouts in FCFA with EUR or GBP equivalents. Monthly statements are sent automatically as PDF.
How long does migration from Excel take?
Importing 900 units, leases and balances takes about 2 weeks, included in the overall 12 to 16-week timeline.
Let's scope your project. Send us your unit count, condominium buildings and collection methods: we will price a precise scope with a budget between 8 and 16 million FCFA and a week-by-week 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.
