The verdict in three sentences
In B2B, every tenth of a point matters because amounts are large. The main reduction levers are negotiating volume tiers, choosing the right channel (transfer vs card) and eliminating hidden fees. An optimized fee structure can save several million FCFA a year without changing a single product.
Understanding the fee structure
A transaction fee breaks down into layers. Understanding each lets you negotiate the right one.
| Component | Typical share | Negotiable? |
|---|---|---|
| Interchange commission | 0.8-1.5% | Little |
| PSP margin | 0.5-1.5% | Yes, by tiers |
| Fixed fee per transaction | 0-150 FCFA | Yes on large basket |
| Settlement fee | 0-1.5% | Yes |
| FX fee | 1-3% | Via local account |
On a large B2B basket, the fixed fee becomes negligible; it is the PSP margin and settlement fee you should attack.
Savings by volume and channel
The gain from a rate cut depends directly on your volume. Here is the annual saving per tier across channels.
| Annual online revenue | Card at 3.2% | Transfer at 1.0% | Transfer saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000,000 FCFA | 1,600,000 FCFA | 500,000 FCFA | 1,100,000 FCFA |
| 100,000,000 FCFA | 3,200,000 FCFA | 1,000,000 FCFA | 2,200,000 FCFA |
| 250,000,000 FCFA | 8,000,000 FCFA | 2,500,000 FCFA | 5,500,000 FCFA |
| 500,000,000 FCFA | 16,000,000 FCFA | 5,000,000 FCFA | 11,000,000 FCFA |
Shifting large professional clients to online transfer (low rate) rather than card is the most powerful lever in B2B.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Mr. Camara, finance director of a wholesaler in London, collects 250,000,000 FCFA/year online, 60% of it by card at 3.2%. By offering online transfer at 1.0% for orders above 2,000,000 FCFA, he shifts 40% of volume: a 2.2-point saving on 100M FCFA, about 2,200,000 FCFA a year. Transfer integration cost 2,000,000 FCFA, recouped in under 11 months.
FAQ
Why do fees weigh more in B2B? Because baskets are large: a percentage rate produces big absolute amounts. 2% on 5,000,000 FCFA is 100,000 FCFA per order.
How do I negotiate a better rate? Present your annual volume and ask for degressive tiers. Above 100M FCFA/year, a PSP often agrees to lower its margin.
Transfer or card for large amounts? Online transfer costs far less (often < 1%) than card (2.9-3.2%). Keep card for small amounts and international.
Are settlement fees always charged? No, they are negotiable. Demand free or capped settlement, especially on large volumes.
What realistic gain from optimizing fees? On 100 to 250M FCFA of online revenue, a well-run optimization saves 2 to 6M FCFA a year, without touching product or price.
Let's scope your project. Send us your online revenue, the card/transfer split and your current rates, and we'll model the achievable saving and price the integrations. 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.
