The verdict in three sentences
A business app MVP costs between 4,500,000 and 9,000,000 FCFA (approx. €7,000-14,000) in 2026, a full application between 12,000,000 and 28,000,000 FCFA (approx. €18,000-42,000), with a local day rate of 120,000-220,000 FCFA. An off-the-shelf vertical SaaS is faster but rarely fits a specific process, and its per-seat cost grows forever. For an SME leader, replacing a shared spreadsheet with a custom app pays off in hours saved and errors avoided, not in prestige.
2026 pricing grid
| Item | 2026 range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| MVP (1 core module) | 4,500,000 – 9,000,000 FCFA | fixed |
| Full application | 12,000,000 – 28,000,000 FCFA | fixed |
| Local developer day rate | 120,000 – 220,000 FCFA | per day |
| Hosting | 90,000 – 350,000 FCFA/mo | monthly |
| Maintenance | 300,000 – 700,000 FCFA/mo | monthly |
| User training | 400,000 – 900,000 FCFA | fixed |
| MVP timeline | 10 – 20 weeks | — |
Vertical SaaS vs custom build
| Criterion | Custom build | Vertical SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| MVP cost | 4.5 – 9 M FCFA | subscription only |
| Process fit | total | partial |
| Payment | FCFA, mobile money | currency, card |
| Cost per added user | ~0 | linear |
| Local payment integration | native | often absent |
| Code ownership | yes | no |
| 3-year total | amortised | grows with seats |
Mini case study
Aminata, leader of a 25-person distribution SME, runs stock and orders on a shared spreadsheet that causes daily errors. She commissions a custom web app: MVP at 6,500,000 FCFA (stock + orders), hosting 150,000 FCFA/month, maintenance 400,000 FCFA/month. Year one: 6,500,000 + (150,000 + 400,000) × 12 = 13,100,000 FCFA. Stock errors cost her about 1,200,000 FCFA/month in stockouts and overstock; the app removes two thirds, i.e. ~9,600,000 FCFA/year saved — payback in under 18 months.
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FAQ
What budget for an MVP? Expect 4,500,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA for an MVP focused on one core module (stock, orders or quotes).
How long to build? An MVP takes 10 to 20 weeks by scope; a full application can exceed 20 weeks.
Custom or vertical SaaS? Custom fits your exact process and integrates local mobile money natively — a decisive edge over a generic SaaS billed per seat in foreign currency.
What maintenance cost? Maintenance of 300,000 to 700,000 FCFA/month covers fixes, updates and small enhancements.
Custom or foreign SaaS? A foreign SaaS billed in currency gets expensive fast and rarely fits; local custom amortises over 2-3 years and belongs to you.
Let's scope your project. Describe your current process (spreadsheet, paper, old software) and the priority module: we'll price an MVP from 4,500,000 FCFA. 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.
