The verdict in three sentences
E-commerce is the partner's high-volume ticket: 12% on projects of 1 to 4 million FCFA. In Nairobi, an e-commerce Growth at 2,000,000 FCFA pays 240,000 FCFA commission, plus recurring maintenance and campaigns. The ideal target: merchants already selling on Instagram and WhatsApp but managing orders by hand.
The key argument: automatic collection vs manual handling
The Nairobi social seller spends evenings answering "how much?", confirming M-Pesa/Wave deposits manually and jotting orders in a notebook. A real store with integrated mobile payment automates everything: the client orders, pays, receives confirmation, with no intervention. That is the argument that triggers the signature.
| Before (social selling) | After (e-commerce store) | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Manual DM replies | Prices visible 24/7 | Time |
| Deposits confirmed by hand | Integrated mobile payment | Automation |
| Orders in a notebook | Order dashboard | Reliability |
| Invisible stock-outs | Stock management with alerts | Fewer disputes |
| No customer follow-up | History and re-engagement | Repeat sales |
Commissions by e-commerce tier
E-commerce pays 12% on the sale, on tickets far heavier than a website. Here is the 2026 order-of-magnitude.
| E-commerce tier | Client price | Sale commission (12%) | Recurring (maintenance/campaigns) | Recurring commission (5%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (≤ 50 products) | 1,000,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA | 75,000 FCFA/month | 3,750 FCFA/month |
| Growth (unlimited catalog) | 2,000,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA/month | 7,500 FCFA/month |
| Premium (PWA + loyalty) | 4,000,000 FCFA | 480,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA/month | 10,000 FCFA/month |
The Kolonell referral partner program
E-commerce is the division that pays best by volume: 12% on the sale, plus 5% on recurring maintenance and campaigns. A Nairobi partner who signs 3 Growth e-commerce per month earns 720,000 FCFA in sale commissions, and builds recurring income that adds up across the portfolio. The program covers every division: 15% website, 12% e-commerce, 10% marketplace, 8% institutional. No technical skill required: Kolonell integrates mobile payments and Stripe, you spot and introduce, you are paid from the first deposit.
Mini case study
Wanjiru, a partner in Nairobi, follows a fashion designer selling 40 pieces/month on Instagram with no website. She shows her that a Growth store at 2,000,000 FCFA automates payments and stock. The designer signs. Wanjiru's commission: 240,000 FCFA (12%). The store takes maintenance + campaigns at 150,000 FCFA/month: recurring of 7,500 FCFA/month for Wanjiru. By signing 3 social sellers per month, she targets 720,000 FCFA in monthly sale commissions.
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FAQ
Why does e-commerce pay more than a website?
Tickets are heavier: 1 to 4 million FCFA versus 250,000 to 1,200,000 for a website. Even at 12% (vs 15%), a 2,000,000 FCFA Growth pays 240,000 FCFA, versus 75,000 for a Growth website.
What is the best target in Nairobi?
Sellers already active on Instagram and WhatsApp but without an integrated store. They have revenue, a customer base and operational frustration: the perfect ground to sell mobile-payment automation.
Is integrated mobile payment really a strong argument?
Yes. Collecting mobile money automatically, without confirming each deposit by hand, saves hours and cuts disputes. It is the argument that triggers the signature.
Is there recurring income in e-commerce?
Yes, and it is solid: maintenance and ad campaigns (150,000 FCFA/month on a Growth) generate 5% recurring for the partner, i.e. 7,500 FCFA/month per client.
Can I go up to Premium?
Yes. A Premium e-commerce at 4,000,000 FCFA (PWA, loyalty, multi-currency) pays 480,000 FCFA commission. A single Premium deal equals several websites.
Let's talk about your project. Nairobi social seller ready to scale, or partner targeting e-commerce, let's frame your store and commissions. 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.
