The verdict in three sentences
For an engineering consultancy chasing AfDB, World Bank or AFD funding, the website works first as a verifiable reference file that evaluators open before the shortlist. A realistic 2026 budget for a site built in Abidjan is 2.5 to 4.5 million FCFA (about 4,200 to 7,500 USD), with an English version at +30% and around 20 project sheets structured like assignment CVs. Plan 5 to 7 weeks, half of which depends on how quickly you supply clean project data.
What lenders and their evaluators actually look at
During an expression of interest, the evaluator spends a few minutes per firm. They check three things: similar experience (amount, country, funder, year), stability of key staff, and consistency between the paper file and what they find online. A site last updated in 2017 with three borehole photos and a broken form creates doubt, even when the file is strong. Task teams based in Washington or New York often read the English pages only.
Content should therefore mirror the language of terms of reference: client, funding source, works value, fee value, duration, role (lead or partner), deliverables. One page per field (drinking water supply, sanitation, irrigation, impact studies) lets you rank for searches in both French and English.
| Site element | Evaluator expectation | 2026 minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Project sheets | Funder, amount, country, year, role | 20 sheets, filter by funder and country |
| Key staff | Degrees, years of experience, languages | 8 to 12 profiles, downloadable CV |
| English version | Read by an English-speaking task manager | Human translation, not machine |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, ministry approvals | Dedicated page with numbers and dates |
| Project map | Real geographic coverage | Interactive map by country and region |
| Publications | Reports, papers, presentations | 5 to 10 indexed PDF documents |
| Speed | Opened from an office in Tunis or Washington | Under 2.5 s on mobile |
2026 price grid (Abidjan build)
The ranges below are a 2026 order of magnitude for a premium showcase site built by an agency in Abidjan or Dakar, excluding heavy technical writing. USD figures use roughly 600 FCFA per dollar.
| Item | French only | French + English |
|---|---|---|
| Custom design | 900,000 to 1,400,000 FCFA | 900,000 to 1,400,000 FCFA |
| Development and CMS | 800,000 to 1,300,000 FCFA | 1,000,000 to 1,600,000 FCFA |
| Loading 20 project sheets | 400,000 to 700,000 FCFA | 550,000 to 950,000 FCFA |
| Interactive project map | 200,000 to 450,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 500,000 FCFA |
| Professional translation | Not applicable | 350,000 to 650,000 FCFA |
| Technical SEO and markup | 200,000 to 650,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 750,000 FCFA |
| Project total | 2,500,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA (4,200 to 7,500 USD) | 3,250,000 to 5,850,000 FCFA (5,400 to 9,750 USD) |
| Hosting and maintenance | 180,000 FCFA per year (300 USD) | 180,000 FCFA per year (300 USD) |
The 30% premium for English covers translation, double entry of every sheet and multilingual setup (hreflang tags, separate URLs). Do not cut it: most World Bank task managers read English first. For comparison, a similar site from a New York agency typically starts around 25,000 USD.
Typical 5 to 7 week schedule
| Week | Deliverable | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Workshop, sitemap, project sheet template | Agency and technical director |
| 2 | Approved mockups | Agency |
| 2 to 4 | Collection of 20 sheets and CVs | Consultancy |
| 3 to 5 | Development, CMS, map | Agency |
| 5 to 6 | Translation and technical proofreading | Translator and senior engineer |
| 6 to 7 | Testing, launch, training | Agency and consultancy |
Delays almost always come from data collection: missing amounts, photos without client consent, outdated CVs. Appoint a lead engineer in week 1.
Mini case study
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Mr Kouamé runs a 35-person water supply consultancy in Abidjan and works with a bid partner in New York. He answers about 12 expressions of interest a year with a 25% shortlist rate, so 3 shortlists. He invests 3,900,000 FCFA (about 6,500 USD) in a French and English site with 22 project sheets, plus 180,000 FCFA of yearly hosting.
If the site's credibility lifts his shortlist rate to 33%, he gets 4 shortlists instead of 3. With an average net margin of 18 million FCFA per won assignment and a 30% win rate once shortlisted, one extra shortlist is worth an expected 5.4 million FCFA (about 9,000 USD). The site pays back within the first year, provided sheets are updated after each assignment.
FAQ
Should project amounts appear on the site?
Yes, at least as a range or as the fee value, as in your reference files. A sheet with no amount or funder carries little weight next to a competitor showing "2.3 million USD, AfDB, 2024".
Can we publish projects done as a subcontractor?
Yes, if you state your role clearly and have the lead firm's consent. Around 40% of an average consultancy's references are joint-venture assignments, so hiding them would be a waste.
How long does it take to update a project sheet?
With a well-configured CMS, 20 to 30 minutes per sheet and per language. Budget 2 hours a month to keep the site in line with your bid files.
Is 180,000 FCFA a year enough for hosting?
For a showcase site with 20 to 50 sheets and some PDFs, yes: it covers hosting, SSL, backups and security updates. Functional changes are quoted separately.
Can the site replace the reference file?
No, lenders require their own forms. The site is supporting evidence and can automatically export a PDF of references filtered by funder, saving 3 to 4 hours per bid.
Let's scope your project. Send us your reference list and target languages, and we will price a site at 2.5 to 4.5 million FCFA delivered in 5 to 7 weeks. 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.
