The verdict in three sentences
For field agents working in Bamako and the regions, an offline PWA costs 6,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA (about EUR 9,150 to 22,900), roughly half the price of two native apps. It runs on entry-level Android smartphones, updates without going through a store and syncs over 2G as soon as the network returns. A native app is only justified for heavy hardware needs: NFC reading, intensive Bluetooth printing, continuous background geolocation.
PWA or native: the costed comparison
Amounts are 2026 orders of magnitude for a data collection and activity tracking app (forms, photos, geolocation, dashboard).
| Criterion | Offline PWA | Native Android only | Native Android and iOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development cost | 6,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA | 8,000,000 to 18,000,000 FCFA | 12,000,000 to 30,000,000 FCFA |
| Delivery time | 8 to 14 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks | 14 to 24 weeks |
| Annual maintenance | 15 to 20% of initial cost | 18 to 22% | 20 to 25% (two codebases) |
| Store fees | 0 FCFA | Google Play account: about 16,000 FCFA once | Plus Apple: about 65,000 FCFA per year |
| Download size | 1 to 3 MB | 15 to 40 MB | 15 to 60 MB per platform |
| Agent updates | Automatic, on next load | Via store, adoption in 1 to 3 weeks | Same, plus Apple review |
| Hardware access | Camera, GPS, local storage | Full | Full |
With a fleet of Android phones at 60,000 to 90,000 FCFA, iOS is rarely useful for field agents. The realistic comparison is therefore PWA versus a native Android app.
Mobile data and offline operation
The hidden cost of a field app is data. In Bamako, Orange Mali and Moov Africa Malitel bundles cost about 500 to 1,000 FCFA per GB depending on volume. Across 200 agents, every MB counts.
| Monthly usage per agent | Optimized PWA | Typical native app | Unoptimized web app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install and updates | 3 to 5 MB | 60 to 150 MB | Not applicable |
| Syncing 400 records | 8 to 15 MB | 10 to 20 MB | 80 to 150 MB |
| Compressed photos (200 per month) | 40 to 60 MB | 40 to 60 MB | 300 to 500 MB |
| Monthly total per agent | 50 to 80 MB | 110 to 230 MB | 380 to 650 MB |
| Annual data cost for 200 agents | about 120,000 to 190,000 FCFA | about 260,000 to 550,000 FCFA | about 0.9 to 1.5 million FCFA |
| Works without network | Yes, several days | Yes | No |
Technical requirements to write into the specification
- Encrypted local storage (IndexedDB) to capture a full day offline, up to 1,000 records with photos.
- Deferred sync with resume: small batches, automatic resume after a drop, conflict handling when two agents edit the same record.
- On-device photo compression, from 3 MB to about 200 KB, before upload.
- 2G mode: lightweight screens, no video, system fonts, initial load under 300 KB.
- French interface with clear icons for agents less comfortable with reading, and the option to add Bambara on key screens.
- Supervisor dashboard: visit map, coverage rate by area, alerts when an agent has not synced for 48 h.
Mini case study
Mr Traoré, operations director of a Malian agricultural products distributor, equips 150 agents visiting retail points in Bamako, Ségou and Sikasso. He receives two offers: an offline PWA at 11,000,000 FCFA, or a native Android app at 15,000,000 FCFA.
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Over three years, the PWA costs 11,000,000 FCFA plus 3 x 1,900,000 FCFA of maintenance, or 16,700,000 FCFA. The native app costs 15,000,000 FCFA plus 3 x 3,000,000 FCFA, or 24,000,000 FCFA. Data adds about 0.4 million FCFA for the PWA versus 1.1 million FCFA for native over the period. Total saving with the PWA: about 8,000,000 FCFA (around EUR 12,200), and every fix goes live the same day, without waiting for 150 agents to update their phones.
FAQ
Does a PWA really work without network?
Yes, if it is designed for it: data entry, record lookup and photos remain available for several days. Sync triggers automatically as soon as any connection, even 2G, is detected.
Do we need to buy specific phones?
No. A recent Android smartphone at 60,000 to 90,000 FCFA with 3 GB of RAM is enough. Plan a rugged case and a power bank, about 15,000 FCFA per agent.
How much does maintaining a field app cost?
Allow 15 to 20% of the initial cost per year for a PWA, or 900,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA. This covers fixes, small enhancements, hosting and backups.
Can mobile money be integrated for field collections?
Yes, Orange Money and Moov Money can be integrated to confirm a payment in real time. Budget 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA of integration depending on the operators chosen.
When should we still choose a native app?
For NFC reading, high-volume Bluetooth receipt printing, or continuous background GPS tracking. A PWA can also evolve into a packaged Android app for 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of agents, the areas covered and the data to collect: we price the PWA, its offline mode and three-year maintenance. 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.
