The verdict in three sentences
You can start a web agency with a lightweight structure for a total budget under 100,000 FCFA in 2026, structure and tools included. The key is to invoice from the first client, then reinvest 20-30% of revenue in tools and subcontracting. You upgrade to a limited company above an order of magnitude of 500,000 FCFA/month in revenue or as soon as a B2B contract requires it.
The start-up budget
A micro agency needs little capital. Here is a realistic launch budget.
| Item | Detail | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Structure (sole proprietor) | Registration | 15,000-50,000 FCFA |
| Domain + hosting | 1 year | 15,000-40,000 FCFA |
| Tools (design, no-code) | Base subscriptions | 10,000-30,000 FCFA/month |
| Merchant mobile money account | Wave / Orange Money | 0 (free) |
| Portfolio / showcase site | Self-built | 0-50,000 FCFA |
Realistic starting total: under 100,000 FCFA excluding monthly subscriptions.
The upgrade threshold to a limited company
The lightweight structure has limits. Here are the signals that it is time to formalise.
| Signal | Lightweight is enough | Upgrade to a Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly revenue | < 500,000 FCFA | > 500,000 FCFA |
| Client type | Individuals, micro-firms | SMEs, institutions |
| B2B contracts / tenders | Rare | Frequent |
| Subcontracting | Occasional | Regular |
| Asset protection | Not critical | Needed |
The upgrade costs an order of magnitude of 50,000-200,000 FCFA and unlocks contracts and credibility.
Mini case study
Binta starts her web agency as a sole proprietor with 90,000 FCFA (structure, domain, tools). She signs 3 showcase sites at 400,000 FCFA in the first quarter, i.e. 1,200,000 FCFA in revenue. She reinvests 25%, about 300,000 FCFA, in tools and subcontracting. By month 4 her revenue tops 500,000 FCFA/month: she upgrades to a limited company for 120,000 FCFA and targets tenders.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
To accelerate, top up your income by recommending projects you cannot deliver alone. The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays for every client, by pole.
| Pole | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | 5% |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
By referring a 5,000,000 FCFA marketplace, you collect 500,000 FCFA without spending your own production time.
FAQ
Can you really start a web agency under 100,000 FCFA?
Yes: a lightweight structure, a domain and base tools fit within an order of magnitude of 90,000 FCFA. The merchant mobile money account is free.
When should you upgrade to a limited company?
Above 500,000 FCFA/month in revenue or as soon as a B2B contract requires limited liability. The upgrade costs 50,000-200,000 FCFA.
How much to reinvest at the start?
An order of magnitude of 20-30% of revenue in tools, training and subcontracting. That is what lets you deliver faster and move upmarket.
How do you secure the first payments?
A merchant Wave or Orange Money account in the business name, with a 30-50% deposit on order. This cuts unpaid invoices from the first client.
Let's talk about your project. We help young agencies structure and deliver sites that convert. 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.
