The verdict in three sentences
For a beverage distributor in Dakar serving 900 outlets with 60,000 crates, losing 8% of packaging per year means 4,800 crates, or 60 to 120 million FCFA depending on deposit value. A custom web and mobile app for deposit tracking costs 12 to 25 million FCFA in 2026 (about 18,300 to 38,100 EUR), plus 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA per month for maintenance. By halving losses through scanning at delivery and reconciliation with invoicing, the gain reaches 30 to 60 million FCFA per year.
Where packaging losses come from
In beverage distribution in Senegal, the crate and its glass bottles are often worth more than the drink itself. Losses have three main sources: untracked gaps between crates delivered and crates returned, unreported breakage, and deposit balances never claimed from shops or depots that close. When tracking relies on paper slips and an Excel file consolidated at month end, the gap is found too late to be invoiced.
| Loss source | Estimated share of losses | Typical cause | App response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Untracked delivered / returned gap | 40 to 50% | Lost paper slip, rough counting | Crate scan at delivery and return |
| Customer balance never claimed | 20 to 30% | No per-customer deposit statement | Real-time balance, automatic reminders |
| Unreported breakage | 10 to 15% | No photo, no reason | Breakage report with photo by driver |
| Leakage between depots | 5 to 10% | Unrecorded transfers | Inter-depot moves confirmed on both sides |
| Invoicing error | 5 to 10% | Deposit missing from invoice | Automatic reconciliation with the ERP |
What the app includes and what it costs
The tool includes a mobile app for drivers (working offline, since the network is unstable in some neighbourhoods and on the outskirts), a web back office for accounting and management, and a connector to the existing invoicing tool (Sage, Odoo or local software).
| Module | Function | Indicative 2026 budget (FCFA excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Offline driver app | QR or barcode scan, customer signature, breakage photo | 3,500,000 to 6,500,000 |
| Deposit balances per customer | Packaging account per outlet, history | 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 |
| Stock and depot back office | Stock per depot, transfers, inventories | 2,000,000 to 4,500,000 |
| Invoice reconciliation | Sage or Odoo connector, gap control | 2,000,000 to 4,500,000 |
| Dashboards and alerts | Return rate by customer, area, driver | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 |
| SMS and WhatsApp reminders | Monthly deposit statement sent to customers | 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 |
| Total project | Delivered in 4 to 6 months | 12,000,000 to 25,000,000 |
Durable QR labels for 60,000 crates cost about 30 to 60 FCFA each, or 1.8 to 3.6 million FCFA, to budget outside development. A cheaper alternative is to scan the delivery note and count crates by type, without individual labels: accuracy drops but the label budget disappears.
Rollout: in waves, not all at once
Success depends less on the code than on driver adoption. A realistic approach starts with one pilot depot and 100 outlets for 6 weeks, with a bonus of 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per month for drivers reaching 98% scan rates. Rollout to all 900 outlets follows in two waves. You also need a reliable opening inventory of balances, which customers often dispute: plan a signed validation campaign.
Mini case study
Mamadou, CFO of a beverage distributor in Dakar, values the deposit on a full crate of packaging at 15,000 FCFA. With 60,000 crates and 8% losses, he loses 4,800 crates a year, or 72 million FCFA. He invests 18 million FCFA in the app, 2.5 million in labels and 300,000 FCFA per month in maintenance (3.6 million per year). In year one, losses drop to 4.5%, then to 4% in year two. Year one gain: 2,100 crates x 15,000 = 31.5 million FCFA. Year one cost: 24.1 million. The project pays for itself by the end of the first year, then generates about 32 million FCFA net per year.
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FAQ
How much does a deposit tracking app cost in Dakar in 2026?
Expect 12 to 25 million FCFA excluding tax depending on modules and integrations, plus 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA per month for maintenance and hosting.
Does the app work without network coverage?
Yes, the driver app stores scans offline and syncs as soon as 3G or 4G returns. This is essential for routes on the outskirts of Dakar and in the regions.
Do we need to label every crate?
No. Individual labels cost 30 to 60 FCFA per crate and give the best accuracy; counting by type on the delivery note already cuts 30 to 40% of losses.
How long until the tool is in production?
Four to six months of development, then a 6-week pilot on one depot and 100 outlets before full rollout.
Can the app connect to our invoicing software?
Yes, a connector to Sage, Odoo or local software costs 2 to 4.5 million FCFA and automates deposit reconciliation on every invoice.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of crates, outlets and your invoicing tool: we will price a deposit tracking app between 12 and 25 million FCFA, delivered in 4 to 6 months. 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.
