The verdict in three sentences
Events are won on cash collected before the day and entry control. Online ticketing with unique QR codes, scan-based access control and Wave/Orange Money/MoMo payment ends fake tickets and duplicates that cost 10 to 20% of revenue. The platform takes a commission of 3 to 8% per ticket; the rest lands in your wallet in real time.
The ticketing flow, from sale to check-in
Modern ticketing links sales, mobile payment and entry scanning. Here's the typical flow.
| Step | Action | What the platform adds |
|---|---|---|
| Event creation | Ticket categories | Prices, quotas, deadlines |
| Online sale | Wave/OM/MoMo payment | Real-time collection |
| Ticket issue | Unique QR per ticket | Impossible to duplicate |
| Distribution | WhatsApp/SMS/email send | Instant delivery |
| Access control | Scan at entry | Immediate duplicate detection |
| Reporting | Sales by channel | Live figures |
| Payout | Organizer payout | Wave/OM after the event |
For a 2,000-seat event, moving from paper control to QR scanning cuts ticket fraud from a ballpark of 15% to under 1%, saving hundreds of thousands of FCFA.
Commissions and business model
Ticketing platforms earn mainly on commission. 2026 ballpark for the West African market.
| Plan | Commission/ticket | Fixed fee | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (free event) | 0% | 0 | Free entry |
| Standard | 3-5% | 0 | Concerts, parties |
| Premium (white label) | 5-8% | 150,000 FCFA setup | Festivals, pros |
| Custom Kolonell | Negotiated | On quote | Organizer networks |
On an event selling 1,500 tickets at 5,000 FCFA, that is 7,500,000 FCFA in revenue, a 5% commission is 375,000 FCFA. In exchange, the organizer collects in advance, ends fraud and steers fill rate live.
Mini case study
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Ibrahim organizes a 1,500-seat concert in Abidjan. Before, he sold paper tickets; he estimated losing 15% of revenue to fakes and duplicates at the door, about 1,125,000 FCFA out of 7,500,000 FCFA. With QR ticketing and mobile payment, fraud drops below 1% (75,000 FCFA). He pays 5% commission (375,000 FCFA) but recovers over 1,000,000 FCFA of previously lost revenue, while collecting 80% of sales before the day.
FAQ
How does the QR prevent fraud?
Each ticket carries a unique QR linked to a database ID. At scan-in, if it has already been validated, the app instantly shows a duplicate alert. A copied ticket or screenshot only passes once.
Do buyers pay with Wave, Orange Money or MoMo?
Yes, all three. The buyer picks their wallet, pays from their phone, and receives their QR ticket by WhatsApp or SMS within seconds, with no account to create.
When does the organizer get paid?
The payout goes to the organizer's Wave or Orange Money wallet, typically after the event or in tranches per agreement. The dashboard shows the collected amount live, net of commission.
Does scanning work without a network at the entrance?
Yes. The control app downloads the list of valid tickets before doors open and scans offline, then syncs. This is essential for poorly covered venues.
Let's talk about your project. We build your QR ticketing with Wave/OM/MoMo payment and access control. 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.
