The verdict in three sentences
Aggregator platforms (Glovo, Yango) take 20 to 35 % per order: on an average ticket of 6,000-12,000 FCFA, that's your margin walking out the door. A direct-ordering app paired with WhatsApp/Mobile Money keeps you ~95 % of the ticket, and a kitchen display system (KDS) drops the error rate from 8 % to under 2 %. A 400,000-1,200,000 FCFA build pays back in 2 to 4 months at just 30 orders/day.
Aggregator-only vs your own app
The table below compares the two models for a typical restaurant in Lagos or Abidjan in 2026.
| Criterion | Aggregator only | Own app |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per order | 20-35 % | 0 % (MoMo fee ~1-2 %) |
| Ticket share kept | 65-80 % | ~95 % |
| Customer data | No | Yes, yours |
| Order error rate | ~8 % | < 2 % (with KDS) |
| Loyalty | Impossible | Direct program |
| Setup cost | 0 | 400,000-1,200,000 FCFA |
The kitchen display (KDS) and ROI
Beyond the commission saved, the KDS speeds up production and makes service more reliable.
| Lever | Measured effect (2026 order) |
|---|---|
| Aggregator commission avoided | 20-35 % of ticket |
| Average ticket | 6,000-12,000 FCFA |
| Error rate with KDS | 8 % → < 2 % |
| Prep time | -15 % |
| App payback | 2-4 months at 30 orders/day |
| Loyalty data | Usable customer base |
Mini case study
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Aminata runs an eatery in Lagos: 30 orders/day, average ticket 8,000 FCFA, half of which came through an aggregator at 28 %. On those 15 aggregator orders/day, commission cost her 15 × 8,000 × 28 % = 33,600 FCFA/day, i.e. ~1,008,000 FCFA/month. Switching to her direct app (MoMo fee ~1.5 %), she now pays only ~18,000 FCFA/month. Saving: ~990,000 FCFA/month. Her 900,000 FCFA app is paid back in under a month, and the KDS cuts her errors from 8 % to 2 %.
FAQ
Should I drop aggregators entirely? No: keep them for acquiring new customers, but push direct ordering (table QR, WhatsApp) for regulars so you keep ~95 % of the ticket instead of 65-80 %.
How much does an ordering app + KDS cost? Budget 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA depending on features. At 30 orders/day, saved commission repays it in 2 to 4 months, often less if the aggregator took 30 %+.
Does the KDS really change the kitchen? Yes: it drops the error rate from ~8 % to under 2 % and cuts prep time by about 15 % by clearly showing order sequence and priorities.
How do I handle payments without an aggregator? Through Wave and Orange Money built into the app: the customer pays in 2 taps, you keep ~98.5 % of the ticket. Prepayment also removes last-minute cancellations.
What do I do with the customer data I capture? It feeds a direct loyalty program (points, birthday offers) impossible with an aggregator, raising order frequency among your best customers.
Let's talk about your project. We build your direct-ordering app with a kitchen display and integrated Wave/Orange Money payment. 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.
