The verdict in three sentences
The ride-hailing giants take 20 to 25% commission and neglect secondary cities. A local booking app with transparent fare calculation, mobile money or cash payment and a fair driver commission can target 12 to 15% and stay profitable. 2026 result: a viable model where the big players don't go, with drivers keeping a larger share of their earnings.
A model built for the secondary city
In a mid-sized city, volume doesn't justify the big players, but demand exists. The right model relies on a reasonable commission, mixed cash/mobile money payment and low-cost local driver acquisition.
| Parameter | Big players | Local platform |
|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 20-25% | 12-15% |
| Payment | Card / mobile money | Mobile money + cash |
| Cash share accepted | Low | 40-60% |
| Driver acquisition cost | High (ads) | Low (word of mouth) |
| Secondary-city presence | Rare | Core target |
Accepting cash is decisive: in many secondary cities, 40 to 60% of rides are still paid in cash in 2026. Ignoring that cuts you off from half the market.
Commission, payment mix and profitability: the numbers
Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a platform targeting 500 rides a day at an average fare of 1,500 FCFA, on a 15% commission.
| Indicator | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Rides / day | 500 |
| Average fare | 1,500 FCFA |
| Monthly volume (30 d) | 22,500,000 FCFA |
| Platform commission (15%) | 3,375,000 FCFA / month |
| Mobile money share | 45% |
| Cash share | 55% |
| Driver acquisition cost | 3,000 FCFA / driver |
| Break-even | ~8 months |
With 3,375,000 FCFA of monthly commission and controlled costs (servers, support, acquisition), a local platform reaches break-even in about eight months, excluding the initial development cost.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Do you know an entrepreneur who wants to launch a ride-hailing platform, or a merchant ready for a website or online store? The Kolonell referral partner (apporteur d'affaires) program pays you for every project you bring us, with no technical work on your side.
| Project type referred | Partner commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | + 5% recurring |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace / ride-hailing platform | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
On a marketplace-type platform billed at 5,000,000 FCFA, a partner earns 500,000 FCFA. On a showcase site at 500,000 FCFA, they earn 75,000 FCFA plus 5% recurring on maintenance. Just introduce the client; we do the rest.
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Mini case study
Tunde launches a ride-hailing platform in Lagos with 500 rides a day at 1,500 FCFA. His 15% commission earns 3,375,000 FCFA a month. After deducting servers, support and driver acquisition (3,000 FCFA per driver for 200 active drivers, or 600,000 FCFA spread out), his net margin runs around 1,800,000 FCFA a month once volume is reached. With a development cost of 6,000,000 FCFA, he hits break-even in about eight months. In parallel, he becomes a Kolonell referral partner and earns 500,000 FCFA by introducing a friend launching his own marketplace.
FAQ
Can you really compete with Yango or Bolt?
Not head-on in the big capitals, but yes in the secondary cities they neglect. A 12-15% commission versus 20-25% attracts drivers, and accepting cash captures the 40 to 60% of rides the big players lose.
How is cash payment handled?
The driver collects the cash and the platform commission is deducted from their mobile money balance or settled periodically. The app tracks every ride, whether paid in cash or mobile money.
How much does developing such an app cost?
A ride-hailing platform with booking, fare calculation and payment ranges from 5,000,000 to 12,000,000 FCFA in 2026 depending on features (driver app, rider app, back office). It is a marketplace-type project.
How do I become a Kolonell referral partner?
Just introduce a client. You earn from 8% (institutional) to 15% (showcase) of the project value, plus 5% recurring on showcase-site maintenance. No fees, no technical skills required.
Is the model viable with few rides?
Profitability depends on volume. Below 200 rides/day, break-even lengthens; at 500 rides/day, it runs around eight months. Sizing the target city correctly is decisive.
Let's talk about your project. Ride-hailing platform or referral program, let's discuss in one call. 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.
