The verdict in three sentences
A hauler with 10 to 40 vehicles bleeds 12 to 18 % of its fuel budget to siphoning, empty runs and tampered odometers. A custom application (real-time GPS, preventive maintenance log, fuel management, driver module) costs 6 to 12M FCFA over 10 to 14 weeks. Against telematics SaaS billed at 8,000 to 15,000 FCFA per vehicle per month, the build pays back in 11 months from 25 vehicles and keeps you owning your data.
Development cost per module
Budget depends on how many modules you switch on. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for a mid-size fleet.
| Module | Key functions | Cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time GPS | Position, history, geofencing | 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 |
| Fuel management | Refills, L/100km, fraud alerts | 1,200,000 – 2,000,000 |
| Maintenance log | Oil changes, services, preventive reminders | 900,000 – 1,600,000 |
| Driver module | Assignment, planning, driving score | 800,000 – 1,400,000 |
| Dashboard + reports | Fleet KPIs, export, cost/km | 1,000,000 – 1,800,000 |
| Driver mobile app | Checklists, incidents, photos | 900,000 – 1,500,000 |
A GPS + fuel + maintenance scope runs around 6M FCFA; the full fleet with a driver app reaches 11 to 12M FCFA.
Build vs buy over 3 years (25-vehicle fleet)
SaaS recurring cost climbs fast with vehicle count. Comparison over 36 months.
| Item | Custom build | Telematics SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | 9,000,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Monthly subscription (25 × 11,000) | 0 FCFA | 275,000 FCFA |
| Cost over 36 months | 9,000,000 FCFA | 9,900,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance/hosting (3 years) | 2,700,000 FCFA | included |
| 3-year total | 11,700,000 FCFA | 9,900,000 FCFA |
| Code and data ownership | Yes | No |
Over 3 years the SaaS stays cheaper, but beyond 30-35 vehicles or a 4th-5th year the build becomes clearly cheaper and shields you from price hikes.
Real saving per vehicle
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The gain comes from fuel and avoided downtime, not the software itself.
| Lever | Before app | After app | Annual gain/vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel (fraud + routing) | baseline | −14 % | 380,000 – 620,000 FCFA |
| Downtime (preventive maintenance) | baseline | −20 % | 250,000 – 400,000 FCFA |
| Fines/overloads | baseline | −30 % | 90,000 – 150,000 FCFA |
Mini case study
Kunle, who runs a 25-truck fleet in Lagos (Apapa), spends about 4,200,000 FCFA on fuel per month. A 14 % cut returns 588,000 FCFA a month, close to 7M FCFA a year. Add 25 vehicles × 320,000 FCFA of avoided downtime (8M FCFA/year) and the return tops 15M FCFA in the first year for a 9M FCFA build. The app is repaid before month 12.
FAQ
How long does development take? Expect 10 to 14 weeks for a GPS, fuel and maintenance scope. A GPS + fuel MVP alone can ship in 7-8 weeks.
Do I need a GPS box in every truck? Yes, an OBD or wired tracker costs 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA per vehicle, on top of software development.
Does the app work outside network coverage? The tracker stores positions and syncs on reconnection; the driver app runs offline for checklists and photos.
Can it detect fuel siphoning? Yes: by cross-checking declared refills, theoretical L/100km and sudden level drops, the app flags gaps above a threshold (often 8-10 %).
What if my fleet grows to 60 vehicles? The custom build does not cost more per added vehicle, unlike per-vehicle SaaS billing — that is where the gap tips in your favour.
Let's talk about your project. We'll price your fleet app around your vehicles and priority modules. 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.
