The verdict in three sentences
A payment link turns any quote into a collected payment, without building an e-commerce site. You generate it in under 2 minutes via an aggregator (PayDunya, CinetPay, FedaPay) or a Wave link, and the customer pays on a hosted multi-wallet page (Wave + Orange Money + card). In 2026, it is the fastest solution for artisans and freelancers: fees 1.5 to 3.5 %, automatic confirmation, zero lines of code.
How it works and what to compare
You enter an amount (minimum often ~100 FCFA), a description and an expiry (from 24 h to 30 days). The tool generates a URL you paste into an email or a WhatsApp message. On opening, the customer picks their payment method; once paid, a webhook confirms the transaction to your software or by notification.
Two link types exist:
- Single-use: the link expires after one payment — perfect for a specific invoice.
- Reusable: one link collects from several customers — handy for a standard deposit or a fixed-price product.
2026 link aggregators compared
| Solution | Indicative 2026 fees | Wallets supported | Link creation | Webhook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayDunya | ~2 to 3 % | Wave, OM, Free, card | < 2 min | Yes |
| CinetPay | ~2.5 to 3.5 % | Wave, OM, MTN, card | < 2 min | Yes |
| FedaPay | ~1.5 to 3 % | Wave, OM, card | < 2 min | Yes |
| Wave link | ~1 % (per plan) | Wave | < 1 min | Notification |
Note: indicative 2026 rates, variable by volume and negotiation. The minimum collectible is around 100 FCFA.
Email vs WhatsApp vs checkout page
The sending channel radically changes conversion. Email has an open rate of about 25 %, whereas a link sent on WhatsApp is read by nearly 75 % of recipients.
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| Criterion | Email link | WhatsApp link | Integrated checkout page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open/read rate | ~25 % | ~75 % | N/A (on site) |
| Setup time | Immediate | Immediate | A few days |
| Development cost | 0 FCFA | 0 FCFA | From 250,000 FCFA |
| Best for | Formal quotes | Quick sales | Regular catalogue |
| Easy follow-up | Medium | Excellent | Automatic |
Mini case study
Ibrahima, a cabinetmaker in Rufisque, sells made-to-order furniture, average ticket 180,000 FCFA, about 12 sales a month. Without a site, he sent his bank details and sometimes waited 10 days for the transfer. Switching to payment links over WhatsApp (fees ~2.5 %), he now gets paid within 48 h. On 12 sales (2,160,000 FCFA/month), fees are roughly 54,000 FCFA, but his collection delay drops from 10 days to 2, which funds the wood for the next order without dipping into cash reserves.
FAQ
Do I need a website to use a payment link? No. The link points to a page hosted by the aggregator. You only need a merchant account and email or WhatsApp.
What are the real fees? Expect 1.5 to 3.5 % depending on aggregator and payment method, sometimes plus a small fixed fee. For 100,000 FCFA collected, that is 1,500 to 3,500 FCFA.
Can a link expire? Yes, you set an expiry from 24 h to 30 days. Beyond that the link becomes invalid, protecting you from unwanted late payments.
How do I know the customer paid? The aggregator's webhook or notification confirms in real time. You can also check your merchant dashboard.
Email or WhatsApp to send the link? WhatsApp converts better (~75 % read vs ~25 % by email). Use email for formal quotes and WhatsApp for quick sales.
Let's talk about your project. We set up your multi-wallet payment links and WhatsApp follow-ups so you get paid faster, even without a store. 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.
