The verdict in three sentences
A diaspora customer paying 500 EUR by card does not get you 500 EUR: between the PSP commission, the conversion spread and fixed fees, you often net 460 to 480 EUR. The foreign card (Stripe) is the simplest and instant but costs 2.9 % + 0.30 USD; the SWIFT transfer becomes competitive above ~1,500 EUR thanks to its fixed fee; the diaspora wallet (Wave international type) is fast and cheap but capped. Pick the channel by amount and acceptable credit delay, not by habit.
The three collection channels and their real cost
Each channel charges differently: the card takes a percentage + a fixed fee, SWIFT a large fixed fee + a bank spread, the wallet an all-in percentage. The table below shows the net actually credited (2026 order of magnitude) on three typical amounts, before final FCFA conversion.
| Channel | Variable fee | Fixed fee | Credit delay | Practical cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign card (Stripe) | 2.9 % | 0.30 USD/txn | Instant to T+2 | None (card limit) |
| SWIFT transfer | spread 1.5-2.5 % | 15-35 EUR | 2 to 5 business days | High (B2B) |
| Diaspora wallet (Wave int.) | 1-2 % all-in | 0 | Instant | ~3,000 EUR/month |
| Relayed mobile money | 1.5-3 % | 0 | Instant | ~2,000,000 FCFA/day |
Net received on 100 / 500 / 2,000 EUR
The real trade-off shows in the net amount. On small baskets, SWIFT's fixed fee rules it out; on large ones, it regains the edge. 2026 estimates, excluding final FCFA conversion.
| Gross amount | Card (Stripe) | SWIFT | International wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 EUR | ~96.8 EUR | ~63-82 EUR | ~98.5 EUR |
| 500 EUR | ~485 EUR | ~452-477 EUR | ~492.5 EUR |
| 2,000 EUR | ~1,942 EUR | ~1,925-1,945 EUR | capped / declined |
| Switch point | — | wins above ~1,500 EUR | best under 500 EUR |
The switch point: under 500 EUR, wallet or card win; between 500 and 1,500 EUR the card stays smoothest; above ~1,500 EUR a well-negotiated SWIFT transfer becomes cheapest as its fixed fee dilutes.
Mini case study
Awa, a jewelry maker in Dakar, sells a set to a Senegalese customer living in Paris for 480 EUR. By Stripe card: 2.9 % commission (13.92 EUR) + 0.30 USD (~0.28 EUR) = she nets 465.80 EUR, credited within 2 days. By international wallet: ~1.5 % i.e. 7.20 EUR in fees, net 472.80 EUR, instant. The gap is 7 EUR in the wallet's favor on this single transaction — but had the customer ordered 2,000 EUR, the wallet's monthly cap would have blocked it and the card or SWIFT would have taken over.
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FAQ
Why do I receive less than the displayed amount?
Because three deductions stack up: the PSP commission (1 to 3 %), the currency conversion spread (1.5 to 2.5 % on USD) and sometimes a fixed fee. On 500 EUR that commonly amounts to 15 to 25 EUR.
Is the FCFA exposed to exchange risk?
Not against the euro: the peg is fixed (1 EUR = 655.957 FCFA). Risk only exists on the USD, which floats, where a 1.5 to 3.5 % spread applies on conversion.
Which channel for instant crediting?
International wallets and relayed mobile money credit within seconds; cards take T+0 to T+2; SWIFT 2 to 5 business days.
Should I display prices in EUR or FCFA?
Display both. An EUR price reassures the diaspora and avoids conversion surprises; FCFA serves as the local reference and accounting base.
Let's talk about your project. We wire up the right card + wallet + SWIFT mix for your typical amounts, with the net received calculated upfront. 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.
