The verdict in three sentences
Water and gas delivery is won not on the single sale but on recurring refills and deposit tracking. Moving from one-off orders to subscription with automatic reminders stabilises revenue: subscriber retention at 80%. Add an optimised route that cuts 20% of fuel plus mobile money payment, and the margin breathes.
One-off order versus subscription
One-off ordering forces the customer to remember the refill and the driver to improvise the route. Subscription anticipates need and groups deliveries.
| Criterion | One-off order | Subscription with app |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Customer must remember | Automatic reminder |
| Driver route | Improvised | Optimised, -20% fuel |
| Deposit tracking | Paper, disputes | Cylinder traced |
| Customer retention | Variable | 80% |
| Payment | Cash | Mobile money |
| Delivery time | Random | Under 90 min |
The recurring-refill numbers
Water and gas are needs that return every week: subscription turns a one-off purchase into predictable revenue. 2026 benchmarks.
| Indicator | 2026 value (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|
| 6 kg gas cylinder | 6,500 FCFA |
| 20 L water subscription | Weekly |
| Delivery time | Under 90 min |
| Fuel saving (routing) | -20% |
| Subscriber retention | 80% |
| Deposit tracking | Cylinder traced |
| Payment | Mobile money |
Mini case study
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Raymond delivers water and gas in Accra to 250 occasional customers. In cash and one-off, they reordered irregularly and his route wasted fuel. By switching 150 customers to subscription (20 L water weekly + gas on demand), he secures recurring revenue with 80% retention and cuts 20% of fuel through optimised routing. On cylinders at 6,500 FCFA and deliveries under 90 min, steady revenue changes everything: he can finally invest calmly in a second tricycle.
FAQ
How does subscription improve cash flow? It turns a random purchase into predictable revenue with 80% retention. You know in advance how many cylinders and jugs to deliver each week.
Is cylinder deposit better managed? Yes, every cylinder is traced in the app. No more deposit disputes: you know who holds which cylinder and since when.
How does the app save 20% of fuel? It groups deliveries in the same neighbourhood and optimises the route order. Fewer empty kilometres means more preserved margin.
Is mobile money payment integrated? Yes, the subscriber pays via mobile money and gets a receipt. This cuts the cash to handle and secures the driver's collection.
Can you guarantee delivery under 90 min? With optimised routing and tracked stock, the 90-min target becomes achievable for priority subscribers, a strong loyalty argument.
Let's talk about your project. We build your water & gas delivery app with subscriptions, deposit tracking and optimised routing. 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.
