The verdict in three sentences
Every order placed through Glovo, Jumia Food or Chowdeck cuts your margin by 25 to 30 %. A direct-ordering app costs between 800,000 and 2,000,000 FCFA once, then 1.5 % in mobile money fees per transaction. Past 300 orders a month, the app is paid off in 4 to 8 months and every order after that is retained profit.
The real cost of delivery platforms
Aggregators charge a commission on the full order value, plus sometimes onboarding and promotion fees. On an average basket of 8,000 FCFA, the gap is brutal.
| Ordering channel | Commission / fee | On 8,000 FCFA | Left to restaurant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glovo / Chowdeck | 27 % | 2,160 FCFA | 5,840 FCFA |
| Jumia Food | 25 % | 2,000 FCFA | 6,000 FCFA |
| Phone + cash | 0 % | 0 FCFA | 8,000 FCFA |
| Own app + Paystack | 1.5 % | 120 FCFA | 7,880 FCFA |
| Own app + mobile money | 1.5 % | 120 FCFA | 7,880 FCFA |
On 300 monthly orders at 8,000 FCFA, a platform at 27 % takes 648,000 FCFA per month. Your own app costs just 36,000 FCFA in mobile money fees. That is a gap of 612,000 FCFA per month you keep.
What a restaurant app actually costs
| Item | Starter | Growth | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development (one-off) | 800,000 FCFA | 1,400,000 FCFA | 2,000,000 FCFA |
| Product menu | 30 dishes | Unlimited | Unlimited + variants |
| Payment | Mobile money | + Paystack | Multi + loyalty |
| Real-time order tracking | No | Yes | Yes + rider GPS |
| SMS/WhatsApp notifications | Basic | Yes | Yes + cart recovery |
| Monthly hosting | 25,000 FCFA | 40,000 FCFA | 60,000 FCFA |
Recurring costs (hosting, maintenance) stay far below a single week's commission on a platform. Mobile money collects in real time, confirmed by webhook.
Mini case study
Ibrahim runs a jollof and grill restaurant in Lagos, Ikeja. He does 420 orders a month on Glovo, average basket 8,500 FCFA, i.e. 3,570,000 FCFA in revenue. Glovo takes 27 %, i.e. 963,900 FCFA in monthly commission.
Ibrahim invests 1,400,000 FCFA in a Growth app. He shifts 70 % of his orders to direct (294 orders). On those he pays 1.5 % in payment fees, i.e. 37,485 FCFA instead of 674,730 FCFA of Glovo commission. Monthly saving: 637,245 FCFA. His app is paid off in 2.2 months. Over a year he keeps nearly 7,600,000 FCFA that used to leave as commission.
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FAQ
How many orders are needed to justify the app?
From 300 orders a month at 8,000 FCFA, commission savings exceed 600,000 FCFA monthly. A Starter build (800,000 FCFA) is then paid off in under two months.
Can I keep Glovo and run my own app at the same time?
Yes, that is the recommended strategy. Use platforms for visibility and convert your loyal customers to the direct app via a QR-code flyer in every delivery bag.
Are Paystack and mobile money reliable for a restaurant?
Yes. Webhooks confirm each payment in real time before the order is validated, with a failure rate below 1 %. Fees are 1.5 % versus 25-30 % platform commission.
Do I have to run my own delivery?
Not necessarily. You can offer in-store pickup, employ a motorbike rider, or book on-demand couriers. Your own app frees you to choose the logistics.
How long to build the app?
Allow 3 to 6 weeks for a Starter or Growth version, including menu setup, payment integration and testing.
Let's talk about your project. We quote your ordering app and project your commission savings this week. 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.
