The verdict in three sentences
A PWA (Progressive Web App) costs in 2026 between 3 and 10 million FCFA (about 4,575-15,250 EUR). Installable on the home screen, it works on 3G and partial offline thanks to caching, without going through the stores. Its cost is 60-70 % lower than an equivalent native app, making it the best value for money for the market.
PWA vs native app: the comparison
A native app (iOS + Android) requires two codebases, developer accounts and store validations. A PWA is a single web project, installable and fast, ideal when budget and timeline matter.
| Criterion | PWA | Native app (iOS+Android) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 budget | 3,000,000-10,000,000 FCFA | 9,000,000-28,000,000 FCFA |
| EUR | 4,575-15,250 | 13,725-42,700 |
| Timeline | 3-5 months | 6-10 months |
| Codebases | 1 (web) | 2 (iOS + Android) |
| Store publishing | Not required | Apple + Google (~30-60,000 FCFA/yr) |
| Installation | From browser | App Store / Play Store |
| Works on 3G/offline | Yes (cache) | Yes |
| Updates | Instant | Via store review |
3G, offline optimisation and maintenance
The network constraint is real. A well-built PWA targets a light first load and a cache that lets you keep working offline.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Target page weight (first load) | < 500 KB | WebP/AVIF images |
| Offline cache (service worker) | Included in dev | Offline viewing |
| Hosting + CDN | 20,000-80,000 FCFA/month | Lower latency |
| Annual maintenance | 15-18 % of project cost | Corrective + evolutive |
| Web push notifications | Included (Android/desktop) | Limited on iOS |
| MVP timeline | 2-3 months | Disciplined scope |
Mini case study
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Mr. Etoa runs a delivery SME: he wants an app for his 25 couriers (route sheet, proof of delivery, customer status) and hesitates between native and PWA. He picks a PWA at 6,500,000 FCFA, delivered in 4 months, rather than a native app quoted at 16,000,000 FCFA.
Immediate saving: 9,500,000 FCFA in development cost, plus no store fees (~60,000 FCFA/year) and instant updates (no waiting on Apple/Google review). In the field, the offline cache lets couriers keep recording deliveries in low-signal areas, then sync on return. The data-reliability gain alone justifies the project, before the 60 % cost saving.
FAQ
Does a PWA really work offline? Yes for viewing and cached input: the service worker stores pages and data, then syncs when the network returns. It is ideal for intermittent 3G in the field.
Can it be installed like a real app? Yes, from the browser: home-screen icon, full screen, no stores. The experience is very close to a native app.
Why 60-70 % cheaper than native? A single web codebase instead of two (iOS + Android), no store fees or validation, shorter timeline. Budget 3-10M FCFA versus 9-28M FCFA for native.
What are the limits versus native? Push notifications are limited on iOS and access to some advanced hardware features is lower. For 90 % of business uses, the PWA is enough.
What maintenance budget? Plan for 15-18 % of the project cost per year, plus hosting/CDN (20,000-80,000 FCFA/month). Since updates are instant, maintenance is simpler than native.
Let's scope your project. Specify the key features, your indicative budget and timeline: we tell you whether a PWA is enough and price it. 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.
