Earning money referring websites in Africa (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

Millions of African SMEs still have no website in 2026, and many don't know who to turn to. By acting as the intermediary — you introduce the shopkeeper, Kolonell builds the site — you earn 15 % of the showcase price immediately, then 5 % recurring on monthly maintenance. It's extra income with no inventory, no code and no startup capital.

How much a referred showcase site pays

The showcase pole comes in three tiers. Your 15 % commission tracks the price of the tier sold.

On top comes the recurring: monthly maintenance billed at 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA pays you 5 %, i.e. 2,500 to 10,000 FCFA per client per month — a stream that keeps flowing as long as the client stays.

Income simulation by volume

Here is what a partner earns based on the number of showcase sites placed each month (assumption: tier mix, average price 450,000 FCFA, average maintenance 70,000 FCFA/month).

The recurring is cumulative: each month you add new clients to the previous base. After a year, a partner at 4 sites/month stacks a recurring flow near 168,000 FCFA/month on top of sale commissions.

How to find prospects easily

You don't need a business network: your prospects are around you.

• Shops with no site — restaurants, beauty salons, private schools, clinics: look at who only has a Facebook page.
• Shops with a dated site — a slow or non-responsive site is a redesign opportunity.
• Word of mouth — a happy client refers you to three others.
• Neighborhood WhatsApp groups and merchant associations — a direct channel to dozens of SMEs.

Your pitch is simple: a personalized demo in the shopkeeper's name, shown on a phone, convinces faster than any speech.

Mini case study

Moussa, a student in Dakar, decides to place 2 sites per month for six months around his campus and neighborhood. He targets mainly practices and restaurants (Growth tier at 500,000 FCFA).

• Sales: 2 × 6 = 12 sites × 500,000 × 15 % = 900,000 FCFA over six months
• Recurring: 12 clients × 5 % × 70,000 FCFA = 42,000 FCFA/month by the end of the semester
• Startup cost: 0 FCFA

Moussa turned his free time into nearly a million FCFA, while building a monthly annuity that keeps running.

FAQ

How much can I earn per showcase site? Between 37,500 FCFA (Starter at 250,000) and 180,000 FCFA (Premium at 1,200,000), plus 5 % recurring on maintenance. The amount depends on the tier the client picks.

Do I need to put money up front? No. There is no entry cost and no equipment to buy. You only invest your time making the connection.

How do I convince a shopkeeper without being a salesperson? Show a demo in their name on your phone. Seeing their own site in 2 minutes is the strongest argument; Kolonell provides these customizable demos.

Does the recurring really last? Yes, as long as the client keeps the maintenance contract. On a base of 12 clients at 70,000 FCFA/month, that's about 42,000 FCFA/month for you.

Can I combine it with a job? Absolutely. Most partners start as a side activity, a few hours a week, then scale based on results.

Let's talk about your project. Become a Kolonell website referral partner and earn on every SME you know. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.