The verdict in three sentences
A B2B marketplace for wholesalers costs FCFA 12,000,000-30,000,000 in 2026, depending on the number of vendors and the sophistication of the payment split. It connects wholesalers and retailers with bulk ordering, automatic split and commissions of 5-15 %. The critical work stream is the Wave/Orange Money payment split and vendor payouts, deployed in 4 to 8 months.
What the marketplace covers and its price
The budget depends on the number of vendors, the KYC level and payout automation. Here is the 2026 grid in FCFA.
| Scope | Vendors | Payment | 2026 price (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter B2B | Up to 20 | Wave + OM, split | 12,000,000-16,000,000 |
| Growth B2B | Unlimited | + Stripe, KYC | 16,000,000-22,000,000 |
| Advanced logistics | Unlimited | + delivery mgmt | 22,000,000-26,000,000 |
| Premium white-label | Unlimited | + API + AI reco | 26,000,000-30,000,000+ |
| Annual maintenance | — | — | 15-20 %/year |
| Automated weekly payout | — | — | included Growth+ |
2026 order of magnitude; managed hosting and gateway fees on top.
Commission system and payment split
The business model rests on the commission taken on each transaction and the automatic vendor/platform split. Here is an example on a FCFA 100,000 order.
| Commission rate | Vendor share | Platform share | Payout frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 % | FCFA 95,000 | FCFA 5,000 | Weekly |
| 8 % | FCFA 92,000 | FCFA 8,000 | Weekly |
| 10 % | FCFA 90,000 | FCFA 10,000 | Weekly |
| 12 % | FCFA 88,000 | FCFA 12,000 | Weekly |
| 15 % | FCFA 85,000 | FCFA 15,000 | Weekly |
| Wave/OM fees (0.5-1.5 %) | — | platform-borne | Per transaction |
The split must be tested with real amounts before go-live: it is the reliability core of a B2B marketplace.
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Mini case study
Grace, founder of a B2B marketplace for food wholesalers in London, invests FCFA 19,000,000 in a Growth platform (unlimited vendors, KYC, automatic split, weekly payouts). With 40 active wholesalers generating FCFA 60,000,000/month of volume and an average commission of 10 %, she takes FCFA 6,000,000/month in gross commissions. After payment and hosting fees (about FCFA 900,000/month), her net margin reaches about FCFA 5,100,000/month: the platform pays back in about 4 months at full operation.
FAQ
How much does a B2B marketplace for wholesalers cost? Between FCFA 12,000,000 and 30,000,000 depending on the number of vendors, KYC, logistics and the desired white-label level.
How does the payment split work? On each order, the Wave/OM payment is automatically split: 85-95 % to the vendor, 5-15 % commission to the platform. The split must be tested with real amounts.
How often are vendors paid? Payouts are typically weekly via Wave or Orange Money, with a traceable history. Automation is included from the Growth tier.
What commission rate should I apply? In B2B wholesale, 5-15 % depending on category and margin. On FCFA 60,000,000/month of volume at 10 %, that is FCFA 6,000,000/month of gross commissions.
How long to launch the platform? Between 4 and 8 months depending on scope, including 4-6 weeks dedicated to testing the payment split and payouts before go-live.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target vendor count, commission rate and monthly volume: we will cost the marketplace and the payout model. 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.
