The verdict in three sentences
Online wholesale rests on three pillars: pro catalog, per-customer price grids and minimum order quantities. Payment combines mobile money for fluidity and credit for large accounts, while logistics (delivery, notes) makes the difference. Built with a nearshore agency in 2026, such a platform costs 5,000,000 to 16,000,000 FCFA and ships in 4 to 8 months.
The platform modules and line items
A wholesale platform differs from a consumer store through differentiated pricing and order rules. Here is a typical breakdown.
| Module | Content | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Pro catalog | SKUs, variants, multi-warehouse stock | 1,500,000-3,500,000 FCFA |
| Price grids | Segment pricing, volume discounts, tiers | 1,000,000-3,000,000 FCFA |
| Minimum order | Per-product / customer rules, thresholds | 500,000-1,500,000 FCFA |
| Payment | Wave, Orange Money, transfer, credit | 1,200,000-3,000,000 FCFA |
| Pro accounts | Approval, receivables, history | 800,000-2,500,000 FCFA |
| Logistics | Delivery notes, zones, carriers | 1,000,000-2,500,000 FCFA |
Annual maintenance is 15 to 20 % of development, i.e. 750,000 to 3,200,000 FCFA/year, covering hosting, updates and support.
Payment and logistics: the duo that drives sales
In wholesale, what blocks online selling is rarely the catalog but payment and delivery. Here are the 2026 options and their implications.
| Option | 2026 cost / fee | Sales impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile money (Wave/OM) | 1-1.5 % | unlocks small/medium buyers |
| Bank transfer | ~0.5 % or fixed | large baskets, 1-2 day delay |
| Customer credit (net 30) | ties up cash | retains large accounts |
| Zoned delivery | 2,000-15,000 FCFA/order | conversion + reliability |
| Warehouse pickup | 0 | margin preserved |
Offering both mobile money and credit lifts the online order rate: small resellers pay upfront, large ones buy on terms.
Mini case study
Fatou, a food-products distributor (250 pro customers, average basket 480,000 FCFA). Before: paper catalog and phone orders, frequent stockouts due to no stock visibility. She invests 11,000,000 FCFA in a wholesale platform with price grids, minimum order and Wave + credit payment. Over 8 months: 55 % of revenue moves online, stockouts drop 40 % thanks to real-time stock, and average basket rises 12 % via discount tiers. Estimated gain: around 4,500,000 FCFA/year between admin time saved and additional sales.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does a wholesale B2B platform cost in 2026?
Expect 5,000,000 to 16,000,000 FCFA depending on modules: catalog and payment at the bottom, advanced grids, credit, logistics and analytics toward the top.
What sets a wholesale platform apart from a classic e-commerce?
Per-customer price grids, minimum order quantities, approved pro accounts and credit. These business rules make up a significant share of the budget.
Do we need minimum order quantities?
Yes, they are essential in wholesale to protect margin and logistics. Thresholds can be set per product, per family or per customer.
What timeline to deliver the platform?
Between 4 and 8 months depending on catalog, grid and logistics complexity. A base can ship in 4 months; a full platform with credit and delivery zones needs 7 to 8 months.
What maintenance should we plan?
Expect 15 to 20 % of development cost per year, i.e. 750,000 to 3,200,000 FCFA, for hosting, security updates, support and enhancements.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of pro customers, average basket and grid and credit needs, and we will cost the right wholesale platform. 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.
