The verdict in three sentences
Before paying anyone to "finish" an abandoned application, commission a code audit, which costs 300,000 to 900,000 FCFA (about 460 to 1,370 EUR) in 2026 depending on project size. If the code is sound and documented, a takeover costs 30 to 60 % less than a full rewrite; if it is not, rewriting is often the cheaper decision. Either way, the first emergency is not technical: it is recovering access to the domain, the hosting and the Git repository, which everything else depends on.
Step one: recover what belongs to you
An unreachable vendor often holds the keys to your project. Until you have them, no new agency can work on it, and your site or app may stop at the next renewal date.
| Access to recover | Where it often sits | How to recover it | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain name | Vendor's account at a registrar | Request to the registrar with proof of ownership (company registration, invoices) | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Hosting and server | Developer's personal account | Change of account holder or migration after backup | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Code repository (Git) | Vendor's GitHub or GitLab | Formal notice, then repository transfer | 1 to 6 weeks |
| Database | Vendor's server | Full export requested in writing | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Store accounts (Play Store, App Store) | Vendor's developer account | App transfer or republication | 2 to 6 weeks |
| API keys (Wave, Orange Money, SMS) | Accounts opened in the vendor's name | Reopened in the company's name, new keys | 1 to 3 weeks |
If the vendor does not respond, a formal notice sent by bailiff or registered letter citing your paid invoices often unblocks the situation. Without any access to the source code, a takeover is impossible and a rewrite becomes the only option.
Code audit: what it measures and what it costs
The audit answers one question: is this code worth taking over? A good auditor reviews structure, security, dependencies and database quality, and estimates the remaining work.
| Project size (2026 ballpark) | Audit duration | Audit cost | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website or small app (under 15 screens) | 2 to 3 days | 300,000 to 450,000 FCFA | Report, vulnerability list, takeover or rewrite verdict |
| Mid-size business app (15 to 40 screens) | 4 to 6 days | 450,000 to 700,000 FCFA | Detailed report, estimate of remaining work |
| Complex app (mobile + web + payments) | 6 to 8 days | 700,000 to 900,000 FCFA | Report, phased takeover plan, cost estimate |
| Additional security audit | 1 to 3 days | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Basic penetration tests, priority fixes |
| Database review only | 1 to 2 days | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Structure and integrity diagnosis |
The audit verdict usually falls into three cases: sound code (takeover pays off), average code (partial takeover, rewrite of fragile modules), degraded code (rewrite). Be wary of a new agency that recommends a rewrite without opening the code, or one that promises to finish everything in two weeks without an audit.
Take over or rewrite: the math
| Situation after audit | Recommended option | Relative cost | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured code, current framework, 60 % or more done | Takeover | 40 to 70 % of a rewrite | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Decent code but no tests or documentation | Takeover with documentation | 55 to 75 % | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Mixed modules, some sound parts | Partial takeover | 70 to 90 % | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Serious vulnerabilities, outdated framework, no structure | Rewrite | 100 % | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Rewrite of a simple app at Kolonell | Benchmark | 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA (3,810 to 6,100 EUR) | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Rewrite of a medium-complexity app at Kolonell | Benchmark | 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA (6,100 to 10,670 EUR) | 3 to 5 months |
Whichever option you choose, the new contract must fix what caused the problem: code pushed to a Git repository in your name, hosting and domain accounts opened in the company's name, a reversibility clause covering handover of code, access and documentation, and formal maintenance (at Kolonell, 35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA per month, about 50, 110 or 180 EUR, depending on the tier).
Mini case study
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Moussa, a Senegalese entrepreneur based in Dubai who owns an industrial cleaning company in Dakar (60 employees), had ordered an app to manage schedules and time tracking. After paying 2,200,000 FCFA, the developer stopped answering, leaving a half-finished app. The domain and server are in the developer's name.
Moussa first recovers the domain through the registrar by showing his invoices (3 weeks), then obtains the Git repository after a formal notice. A 5-day audit at 550,000 FCFA finds the code largely sound and 65 % complete. The takeover is quoted at 1,900,000 FCFA, against 3,800,000 FCFA for a full rewrite. Total cost to get out of the crisis: 2,450,000 FCFA, a saving of 1,350,000 FCFA (about 2,060 EUR, roughly 2,250 USD) compared with a straight rewrite (3,800,000 FCFA), and go-live in 5 weeks instead of 10.
FAQ
How much does a code audit cost in 2026?
As a ballpark, 300,000 to 900,000 FCFA (about 460 to 1,370 EUR) depending on app size, for 2 to 8 days of work. The report must give a clear takeover or rewrite verdict and price the remaining work.
What if the vendor refuses to hand over the code?
Send a formal notice citing the paid invoices and the contract. If the contract includes no transfer of the code, consult a lawyer: without access to the source code, only a full rewrite remains possible.
Is taking over an app always cheaper?
No. A takeover costs 30 to 60 % less than a rewrite only if the code is sound and more than 60 % complete. With degraded code or an outdated framework, rewriting avoids paying twice.
How long does an app takeover take?
Plan 2 to 8 weeks depending on code quality, plus 1 to 4 weeks to recover access. That last delay is often the least predictable, so start it on day one.
How do you prevent this from happening again?
Require in the new contract a Git repository and hosting accounts in your company's name, a reversibility clause and written maintenance terms. Check every month that delivered code actually shows up in your repository.
Let's scope your project. Send us whatever you have recovered from your app (access, code, screenshots): we will propose an audit, a takeover or rewrite verdict and a completion budget in FCFA and EUR. 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.