The verdict in three sentences
Below 25 vehicles, a vertical SaaS TMS at 25,000-45,000 FCFA/vehicle/month stays the rational pick: fast go-live, zero upfront capital. Beyond that, or when your billing and route rules are specific, a custom build at 11-18M FCFA wins on a 3-year horizon. The real lever isn't the license price but the 7% cut in empty miles and the 10 hours/week of planning time recovered.
The two cost models in 2026
A TMS (Transport Management System) covers route planning, GPS tracking, electronic proof of delivery (POD), customer billing and payment collection. Two approaches diverge sharply on the financial side.
| Item | Vertical SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 FCFA | 11,000,000-18,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly cost (25 vehicles) | 625,000-1,125,000 FCFA | 15% annual maintenance of build |
| Time to go live | 2-4 weeks | 12-18 weeks |
| Business-rule customization | Limited | Total |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| GPS tracking + POD | Included (often optional) | Included, tailored |
| Mobile-money collection | Vendor-dependent | Native |
SaaS bills per vehicle: the bigger the fleet, the narrower the gap with a custom build. At 25 vehicles, you are already near the tipping point.
3-year TCO comparison (25-vehicle fleet)
Total cost of ownership over 3 years reveals the true picture. We use a median assumption: SaaS at 35,000 FCFA/vehicle/month, custom at 14,000,000 FCFA + 15% maintenance.
| Year | Vertical SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Setup / build | 0 FCFA | 14,000,000 FCFA |
| Year 1 | 10,500,000 FCFA | 2,100,000 FCFA (maint.) |
| Year 2 | 10,500,000 FCFA | 2,100,000 FCFA |
| Year 3 | 10,500,000 FCFA | 2,100,000 FCFA |
| 3-year TCO | 31,500,000 FCFA | 20,300,000 FCFA |
| Asset owned | None | Proprietary software |
Over 3 years the custom build comes out 11.2M FCFA cheaper for this fleet, plus you own a reusable asset. Under 15 vehicles, the math flips in favor of SaaS.
Modules and operational gains
ROI comes from operations, not the license. Here is the quantified impact per module.
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| Module | Estimated 2026 gain | FCFA/year impact (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Route optimization | -7% empty miles | ~4,200,000 FCFA fuel |
| Automated planning | 10 hours/week | ~2,600,000 FCFA (time) |
| Electronic POD | -3 days billing lag | Better cash flow |
| Auto-invoicing | -90% errors | Fewer disputes |
| Mobile-money collection | +15% on-time payment | Lower working capital |
Mini case study
Rashid, who runs a courier company in Dubai, operates 25 vehicles. Planning is done on spreadsheets and messaging apps; he estimates 10 lost hours/week and runs at 22% empty miles. He picks a custom TMS at 14,000,000 FCFA + 2,100,000 FCFA annual maintenance.
With a 7% cut in empty miles on a 60,000,000 FCFA/year fuel budget, he saves 4,200,000 FCFA/year. Adding the 10 hours/week of planning (~2,600,000 FCFA/year) and fewer billing disputes, annual gains reach ~7,500,000 FCFA. Net first-year outlay: 16,100,000 FCFA; break-even lands around 24 months, then 5.4M FCFA of recurring net gain from year 3.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget to start? As SaaS, budget 625,000 FCFA/month for 25 vehicles with no heavy commitment. Custom starts at 11,000,000 FCFA but amortizes over 3 years.
Is GPS tracking included? Yes, but check: with many SaaS vendors GPS is an add-on at 3,000-5,000 FCFA/vehicle/month. In a custom build it is bundled in the initial fee.
How long to deploy? A vertical SaaS is live in 2 to 4 weeks. A custom build needs 12 to 18 weeks, including testing and driver training.
Can we collect via mobile money? Yes. A custom TMS natively integrates mobile-money collection on delivery, improving on-time payment by roughly 15%.
What does the 15% maintenance cover? Maintenance, fixes, hosting and minor evolutions, about 2,100,000 FCFA/year for a 14M build. Major features are quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your fleet size, your route and billing rules, and your indicative budget, and we will frame the right TMS scope. 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.
