The verdict in three sentences
A Senegalese or Ivorian freelancer can legally bill a foreign client in EUR or USD, generally without local VAT because service exports are exempt. The crux is collection: Wise and Payoneer cost 1 to 2 %, versus 3 to 6 % for a classic bank transfer with correspondent fees. A clean invoice, in currency, with legal mentions and a well-archived export proof protects you when repatriating to FCFA.
VAT, currency and mentions: what is legal in 2026
In Senegal as in Cote d'Ivoire, a service sold and consumed abroad is a service export, in principle VAT-exempt (18 %). So you invoice net, with the mention "VAT exemption - service export". You may denominate the invoice in EUR or USD, but local accounting is kept in FCFA at the rate on the collection date.
Mandatory invoice mentions: your identity (NINEA in Senegal), the client's, a precise description of the service, the amount in currency, the date, and payment terms. Keep the contract, invoice and proof of collection: this is your currency-repatriation justification.
2026 comparison of collection methods
| Method | Receiving fee | Delay | Exchange rate | Practical cap | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (multi-currency account) | 0.4 to 1 % | 0 to 2 d | Interbank rate | ~50,000 EUR/mo | Wise receipt + invoice |
| Payoneer | 1 to 2 % | 1 to 3 d | ~2 % margin | High | Payoneer statement |
| Direct SWIFT transfer | 15 to 40 EUR + correspondent | 2 to 5 d | Bank margin 3 to 5 % | Very high | Bank credit advice |
| PayPal | 3.5 to 4.5 % + fixed | Instant | 3 to 4 % margin | Medium | PayPal receipt |
| Stripe (via entity) | 2.9 % + 0.25 EUR | 2 to 7 d | By currency | High | Stripe dashboard |
| Crypto stablecoin (USDT) | 0.5 to 1.5 % | Minutes | Variable P2P spread | Variable | Hash + P2P receipt |
*2026 orders of magnitude, excluding market swings and local bank policies.*
How much you really lose on 3,000 EUR
| Channel | Total fees | Net received (EUR) | FCFA equivalent (~656) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~24 EUR | 2,976 | ~1,952,000 FCFA |
| Payoneer | ~55 EUR | 2,945 | ~1,932,000 FCFA |
| Direct SWIFT | ~130 EUR | 2,870 | ~1,883,000 FCFA |
| PayPal | ~130 EUR | 2,870 | ~1,883,000 FCFA |
On a single mission, the gap between Wise and PayPal exceeds 100 EUR (~66,000 FCFA). On 30,000 EUR a year, that is 600,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA in avoided fees.
Become a Kolonell business referrer
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Many freelancers who bill abroad have clients who also need a website, a store or a marketplace. The Kolonell business referrer program pays you for every project you bring us, without you having to produce anything.
| Segment | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % on maintenance |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | per contract |
| Institutional | 8 % | per contract |
On a Premium showcase site at 1,200,000 FCFA, that is 180,000 FCFA of immediate commission, plus 5 % recurring on maintenance.
Mini case study
Fatou, a freelance developer in Dakar, bills a French client 2,500 EUR/month. By switching from SWIFT (4 % margin + fees) to Wise, she saves about 90 EUR/month, or 1,080 EUR/year (~708,000 FCFA). She then refers that client to Kolonell for an 800,000 FCFA showcase site: she earns 120,000 FCFA in referrer commission. Total gained in a year with no production effort: over 828,000 FCFA.
FAQ
Must I charge VAT to a foreign client? No, in principle service exports are VAT-exempt (18 % in Senegal). You invoice net with the exemption mention, but keep the export justification.
Wise or Payoneer, which to choose? Wise is often cheaper (0.4 to 1 %) and offers a handy multi-currency IBAN. Payoneer (1 to 2 %) is favored by marketplaces and platforms that offer it natively.
Can I be paid in crypto stablecoin? Technically yes, with 0.5 to 1.5 % fees, but the regulatory framework remains unclear in 2026. Document each conversion and prefer banking channels for large amounts.
How do I repatriate my currency legally? Collect into an account in your name, keep invoice + contract + receipt, then convert to FCFA via your bank or an approved service. Large amounts may require a declaration.
How much can I collect per month? It depends on the channel: Wise easily handles tens of thousands of euros/month. Beyond that, a traceable bank transfer is preferable for compliance.
Let's talk about your project. We help you structure your cross-border invoicing and monetize your network through referrals. 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.
