The verdict in three sentences
A payment aggregator lets a B2B site in Cotonou accept MTN MoMo, Moov Money, Celtiis Cash and bank cards through a single integration, for 1.5 to 3.5% per transaction depending on the method and volume. The deciding factor in B2B is not the headline rate but the settlement delay (D+1 to D+7) and the per-transaction limits, which quickly block IT equipment baskets. Plan FCFA 500,000 to 1,500,000 (about USD 830 to 2,500) for integration and negotiate fees once monthly flows reach FCFA 20 million.
Aggregators compared in Benin
The CFO of an IT equipment distributor in Cotonou sells computers, UPS units and licences to SMEs, schools and public bodies. The average basket is FCFA 850,000, with peaks at FCFA 6,000,000. The figures below are 2026 market estimates: exact rates are negotiated and change, so always ask for a written offer.
| Criterion | FedaPay | Kkiapay | CinetPay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Benin | Benin | Côte d'Ivoire, WAEMU presence |
| Payment methods in Benin | MTN, Moov, Celtiis, card | MTN, Moov, Celtiis, card | MTN, Moov, card |
| Mobile money fees (indicative) | 1.5 to 2.5% | 1.7 to 2.5% | 2 to 3% |
| Card fees (indicative) | 2.5 to 3.5% | 2.8 to 3.5% | 3 to 3.5% |
| Typical settlement delay | D+1 to D+3 | D+1 to D+3 | D+2 to D+7 |
| Multi-country coverage | Several WAEMU countries | Several WAEMU countries | Broad francophone Africa coverage |
| Strengths | Dashboard, payment links | Simple SDK, fast widget | Regional coverage |
For a distributor also selling into Togo or Côte d'Ivoire, multi-country coverage and a single merchant account matter as much as the rate.
Limits, settlement and real cost
B2B baskets run into mobile wallet limits: a personal account is often capped at a few hundred thousand or at most FCFA 2,000,000 per transaction depending on its KYC level. Above that, you need to offer card, bank transfer or split payment. Settlement matters too: every day of waiting ties up cash.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Impact for the CFO |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile money limit per transaction | FCFA 500,000 to 2,000,000 depending on KYC | Route large baskets to card or transfer |
| Card limit (depends on issuing bank) | FCFA 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 | Tell customers to raise their limit |
| Settlement delay | D+1 to D+7 | FCFA 30M monthly at D+5 = about FCFA 5M tied up |
| Bank payout fees | 0 to 0.5% or flat fee | Include in total cost |
| Site integration + webhooks | FCFA 500,000 to 1,500,000 | One-off |
| Automatic accounting reconciliation | FCFA 300,000 to 800,000 | Avoids manual entry |
| Partial refunds | Included or FCFA 100 to 500 per operation | Common in B2B (stock-outs, credit notes) |
The technical side must not be rushed: every payment must be confirmed by a signed webhook, never by the return page alone, otherwise orders ship without actual payment.
How to negotiate and decide
Ask for a tiered rate card: above FCFA 20 million of monthly flows, a 1.5% mobile money rate is negotiable with most providers. Require contractual D+1 settlement, API access to transaction statements for reconciliation, and a reachable support contact. A clean architecture also lets you run two aggregators in parallel, the second as a fallback, for an extra FCFA 200,000 to 400,000.
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Mr Hounkpatin, CFO of an IT equipment distributor in Cotonou, collects FCFA 30 million a month online, 60% via mobile money and 40% by card. With an aggregator at 2.5% mobile and 3.5% card, he pays 450,000 + 420,000 = FCFA 870,000 in monthly fees. After negotiating 1.8% and 3%, the bill falls to 324,000 + 360,000 = FCFA 684,000, saving FCFA 186,000 a month or FCFA 2,232,000 a year (about USD 3,700). Moving settlement from D+5 to D+1 also frees around FCFA 4 million of cash. The FCFA 1,000,000 integration pays for itself in under six months.
FAQ
Can one aggregator handle both cards and mobile money?
Yes, FedaPay, Kkiapay and CinetPay all offer both through one interface. Card fees remain higher, around 2.5 to 3.5%.
How do we handle a FCFA 6,000,000 order?
Mobile money will not go through in a single payment. Offer card, bank transfer against a pro forma invoice, or payment in two or three instalments approved by the sales rep.
How long until we are live?
Allow 2 to 4 weeks: merchant account opening with company registration (RCCM) and tax ID (IFU), technical integration, sandbox tests, then live tests with small amounts.
Are fees deductible or can we pass them on?
They are a deductible expense. Passing them on to the customer is possible in B2B but hurts conversion; building them into the price works better.
Should we add Wave?
Wave is still marginal in Benin in 2026, but essential if you sell into Senegal or Côte d'Ivoire. A multi-aggregator setup adds it for FCFA 300,000 to 600,000.
Let's scope your project. Send us your monthly volumes, average basket and sales countries, and we will recommend the right aggregator and price the integration within FCFA 500,000 to 1,500,000, tested webhooks included. 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.
