The verdict in three sentences
CinetPay lets an Ivorian merchant collect from MTN, Moov, Orange and Wave CI through one integration, versus four APIs to maintain directly. The price of that simplicity: fees of 2.9 to 3.5% against 1 to 2% direct. Below a certain monthly volume, the aggregator wins on time and coverage; above it, direct integration of the big wallets becomes worthwhile.
CinetPay fees, KYC and settlement
Before integrating, quantify the real costs and delays. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a standard merchant.
| Parameter | Estimated 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Fee per transaction | 2.9–3.5% |
| Fixed setup fee | often 0 FCFA |
| KYC onboarding delay | 2–5 business days |
| Settlement (payout) | T+1 to T+3 |
| Covered wallets | MTN, Moov, Orange, Wave CI |
| Payout function | yes (seller disbursement) |
CinetPay stands out for wide coverage and its payout function, useful for a marketplace disbursing several sellers. KYC requires a business registration, the manager's ID and settlement details.
Aggregator or direct MTN integration?
The right choice depends on monthly volume. Let's compare total cost by collected revenue.
| Monthly volume | CinetPay fees (~3%) | Direct MTN fees (~1.8%) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000,000 FCFA | 30,000 FCFA | 18,000 FCFA | Aggregator (coverage) |
| 5,000,000 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA | 90,000 FCFA | Mixed |
| 15,000,000 FCFA | 450,000 FCFA | 270,000 FCFA | Direct + backup aggregator |
| 30,000,000 FCFA | 900,000 FCFA | 540,000 FCFA | Direct on big wallets |
At low volume, the absolute gap is modest and multi-wallet coverage justifies the aggregator. At high volume, every fee point matters: move big wallets to direct while keeping CinetPay for secondary operators.
Mini case study
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Fatou runs an online delicatessen in Plateau, 8,000,000 FCFA collected per month. All-CinetPay (~3%), she pays 240,000 FCFA in monthly fees. By moving 60% of volume (mainly MTN and Wave CI) to direct integration at ~1.8%, she cuts the bill to about 178,000 FCFA — 62,000 FCFA saved per month, 744,000 FCFA per year. The dual technical integration cost is recovered in under three months. She keeps CinetPay for Moov and Orange, less frequent but useful.
FAQ
What documents for CinetPay KYC?
Typically the business registration, the manager's ID and a settlement account (mobile money or bank). Processing takes 2 to 5 business days in 2026.
When does the seller get paid?
Settlement runs T+1 to T+3 depending on wallet and your configuration. Plan this buffer cash into your cash-flow forecast.
Does CinetPay handle disbursements to third-party sellers?
Yes, its payout function suits marketplaces that must pay several sellers after commission. That's a key edge over a simple direct integration.
Should I start direct or via aggregator?
Via aggregator, almost always. You get all four wallets in a week, then optimize with direct integration once volume is known and stable.
Let's talk about your project. We wire up CinetPay, then optimize your fees as volume grows. 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.
