The verdict in three sentences
In Dar es Salaam in 2026, Tigo Pesa, Airtel and M-Pesa Vodacom interconnect through the Selcom aggregator at 1.5-2%. One Selcom integration lets a shop accept every major wallet at once, which is a big operational simplification. For a TSh 60,000 basket the collection cost stays moderate and below a classic card commission.
Fees, aggregation and coverage
In Tanzania the Selcom aggregator is the backbone: it interconnects the main wallets so merchants avoid integrating each operator separately.
| Item | 2026 detail (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|
| Merchant fee | 1.5 to 2% (Selcom) |
| Operators | Tigo Pesa, Airtel, M-Pesa |
| Aggregator | Selcom |
| Subscription | 0 TSh |
| KYC required | ID + business registration |
| Activation time | 48 to 72 h |
| Interoperability | strong via Selcom |
One integration covers all wallets, so a shop never turns a customer away over which operator they hold.
Dar es Salaam versus Libreville
In Libreville, Airtel Money and Moov Money are usually wired separately, without a single aggregator layer.
| Criterion | Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) | Libreville (Gabon) |
|---|---|---|
| Key operators | Tigo Pesa, Airtel, M-Pesa | Airtel, Moov |
| Merchant fee | 1.5 to 2% (Selcom) | ~1.5% |
| Aggregator | Selcom | direct operator |
| Subscription | 0 TSh | 0 FCFA |
| Interoperability | strong | limited |
| Currency | TSh | FCFA |
Selcom simplifies accepting every wallet in Dar es Salaam; in Gabon you typically wire each operator on its own.
Mini case study
Joseph runs a perfume shop in Dar es Salaam (Kariakoo). He collects across 40 average sales of TSh 60,000 per month via Selcom.
- Fee at 1.75%: on TSh 2,400,000 = TSh 42,000/month.
- Cost per TSh 60,000 sale: TSh 1,050.
- Subscription: 0 TSh.
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In Libreville, a 25,000 FCFA basket collected at 1.5% costs 375 FCFA. In both cases the percentage stays below a classic card commission (1.8-2.5% plus POS rental).
FAQ
What are merchant fees in Dar es Salaam in 2026?
Roughly 1.5 to 2% via Selcom, with no monthly subscription. On TSh 2,000,000 collected at 1.75%, that is about TSh 35,000.
What is Selcom?
An aggregator that interconnects Tigo Pesa, Airtel and M-Pesa Vodacom through a single integration. It lets a shop accept every major wallet without wiring each operator separately.
How do I handle a basket above the limit?
Sometimes you split the payment into two successive transactions. This doubles the operation count but keeps each below the per-transaction limit.
Can these wallets be wired into a website?
Yes, via Selcom in Tanzania or operator APIs in Gabon, with confirmation callbacks. Kolonell integrates and tests these flows end to end before go-live.
How do I join the Kolonell referral program?
Refer a merchant and earn 15% on a showcase site, 12% on an e-commerce store, 10% on a marketplace, 8% on an institutional project, plus 5% recurring on maintenance. Message us for your tracking link and sales kit.
Let's talk about your project. We integrate Selcom, Tigo Pesa, Airtel and M-Pesa on your Dar es Salaam store, tested end to end. 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.
