The verdict in three sentences
The paper ticket opens the door to fraud, fake tickets and queues that damage your image right at the entrance. A QR ticketing platform sells online, collects via Mobile Money, generates an anti-duplication QR ticket and scans at the door in 3 seconds instead of 12, while cutting fraud from 8% to near zero. Custom-built (2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA) or SaaS (3 to 7% commission per ticket or 20,000 to 60,000 FCFA/month): decide by your ticket volume.
What QR changes at the door
One scan per ticket removes duplicates: once the QR is validated it is burned and cannot be reused. No more copies shared on WhatsApp and no fake tickets at the gate.
| Metric | Paper ticket (2026) | QR ticketing |
|---|---|---|
| Scan time at entrance | 12 s | 3 s |
| Fraud / fake tickets | 8% | near 0 |
| Share of online sales | 20% | 70% |
| Average queue | long | smooth |
| Payment reconciliation | manual | automatic |
| Revenue tracked in real time | no | yes |
At 500 people, going from 12 to 3 seconds per scan is ~45 minutes less queue per entry point.
Custom or SaaS ticketing
| Criterion | Custom platform | SaaS ticketing |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 FCFA | 0 - 100,000 FCFA (setup) |
| Cost per ticket | 0 (excl. Mobile Money fees) | 3 - 7% commission / ticket |
| Monthly cost | Hosting 15,000 - 40,000 FCFA | 20,000 - 60,000 FCFA / month |
| On 2,000 tickets at 10,000 FCFA | ~amortized with steady volume | 600,000 - 1,400,000 FCFA commission |
| Brand and design | 100% yours | Vendor template |
| Client data (list) | You | Vendor |
If you run several events a year with volume, the SaaS's 3 to 7% per-ticket commission eventually exceeds the cost of a dedicated platform, which also keeps you the owner of the buyer list.
Mini case study
Seydou runs concerts in Accra, about 2,000 tickets at 10,000 FCFA per event. On SaaS at 5% commission, he pays 1,000,000 FCFA per event. Across 4 events/year, that's 4,000,000 FCFA in commissions. A custom platform at 4,000,000 FCFA is thus amortized within the first year, and he also gains a list of 8,000 buyers to re-contact for free for future concerts.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How much does a custom ticketing platform cost in 2026?
From 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA depending on features: online sales, seat map, ticket categories, multi-gate access control, real-time dashboard.
Does QR really prevent duplicates?
Yes. Each ticket has a unique QR validated once; on a second scan it's rejected. Even if a client shares a screenshot, only the first gets in. Fraud drops from 8% to near zero.
How are tickets paid for?
Online via Mobile Money and card for international buyers. The QR ticket is sent by email and WhatsApp, and collections reconcile automatically.
Do you need network to scan at the door?
The scan app keeps the valid-ticket list locally and works even if 4G is saturated at the gate, then syncs. Scan time stays ~3 seconds.
Can sales be tracked in real time?
Yes, a dashboard shows tickets sold, revenue, online share and scanned entries live, useful to manage capacity and re-push communication.
Let's talk about your project. We'll deliver a QR ticketing system ready for your next event. 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.
