The verdict in three sentences
A wholesaler in Douala wanting to run multi-warehouse stock, customer orders and supplier credit should budget 6,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA over 10 to 18 weeks. Foreign licences are powerful but poorly suited to OHADA accounting, per-client negotiated pricing and the informal credit common in local trade. The return shows in the numbers: -30% stockouts and reliable inventory free up cash trapped in overstock.
Scope of a distribution software and its 2026 price
A distribution software centralises the catalogue, stock per warehouse, orders, invoicing and credit tracking. Here are the 2026 ranges per module.
| Module | Scope | Indicative price (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-warehouse stock core | Items, barcodes, in/out, inventory | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 | 3-5 wks |
| Customer orders + pricing | Quotes, orders, per-client pricing, discounts | 1,500,000 - 4,500,000 | 3-4 wks |
| OHADA invoicing | Invoices, VAT, credit notes, OHADA chart | 1,500,000 - 4,000,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Customer/supplier credit | Balances, due dates, reminders, limits | 1,000,000 - 3,500,000 | 2-4 wks |
| Dashboard + mobile | KPI, turnover, stockouts, sales app | 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 2-4 wks |
A multi-warehouse Starter project starts around 6,000,000-9,000,000 FCFA; a full rollout with sales mobility and analytics reaches 16,000,000-20,000,000 FCFA.
Foreign licence vs OHADA custom build
Imported ERPs charge per-user licences and annual maintenance, often in foreign currency, with unsuitable accounting setup.
| Criterion | Imported ERP | OHADA custom Kolonell |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront | Licences + integration | 6,000,000 - 20,000,000 FCFA once |
| Annual cost (10 users) | 3,000,000 - 7,000,000 FCFA/yr | Hosting 600,000 - 1,800,000 FCFA/yr |
| OHADA accounting | Heavy configuration | Native |
| Per-client pricing | Often limited | Native, negotiated discounts |
| Informal credit | Not handled | Custom balances and limits |
| Multi-warehouse barcodes | Yes but rigid | Fits local warehouses |
| Code ownership | No | Yes, delivered to client |
Over 3 years, a 10-user licence can exceed 25,000,000 FCFA total cost, whereas custom stays controlled and fits the Cameroonian field.
Mini case study
Emmanuel, director of a wholesale company in Douala, runs 2 warehouses and 3,500 SKUs. Stockouts lost around 8% of monthly revenue, estimated at 120,000,000 FCFA, i.e. about 9,600,000 FCFA of missed sales per month. Overstock also tied up 40,000,000 FCFA of cash.
With a 12,000,000 FCFA software, he cuts stockouts by 30%: 30% of 9,600,000 = about 2,900,000 FCFA of recovered sales each month. Add reliable inventory freeing 10 to 15% of overstock (4 to 6 million in cash). The software pays for itself in about 4-5 months on recovered sales alone.
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FAQ
How much does custom wholesale software cost in Douala in 2026?
From 6,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA depending on modules and number of warehouses. A multi-warehouse stock + orders + OHADA invoicing core sits around 8,000,000-12,000,000 FCFA.
Is the software OHADA-compliant?
Yes. The chart of accounts, VAT, invoices and credit notes follow the OHADA framework, simplifying filings and the relationship with the accountant.
Can different prices per customer be managed?
Yes. Each customer can have their own price list, negotiated discounts and credit limit, applied automatically to orders.
Are barcodes and multi-warehouse included?
Yes in the core. We handle in/out per warehouse, inter-warehouse transfers and rolling inventory with barcode scanning.
How long does delivery take?
Between 10 and 18 weeks. A stock + orders MVP can ship in 6-8 weeks, with invoicing and credit following in iterations.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of warehouses, SKU volume and priority modules (credit, mobility, OHADA), and we will frame the most profitable distribution software. 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.
