The verdict in three sentences
What blocks 60% of SME deals is not price, it is cash flow: paying 500,000 FCFA at once is frightening. Offering a 40/30/30 split or a monthly subscription turns the price objection into a simple question of installment size. The partner earns a 15% commission as soon as the first deposit is collected, not at delivery.
Two financing formulas that unlock the signature
An SME thinks in monthly cash flow, not total amount. Here are the two most effective structures in Lagos, with the 2026 order-of-magnitude for a Growth website at 500,000 FCFA.
| Formula | Structure | On a 500,000 FCFA website | Closing effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40/30/30 split | Order / midpoint / delivery | 200,000 + 150,000 + 150,000 | Strong |
| 12-month subscription | Smoothed monthly | ~42,000 FCFA/month | Very strong |
| 50/50 split | Order / delivery | 250,000 + 250,000 | Medium |
| Upfront (rare) | Single payment | 500,000 FCFA | Weak (cash barrier) |
When is the partner paid?
Key point: the partner commission does not wait for project completion. It is due as soon as the client's first deposit is collected. Here is the 2026 order-of-magnitude by formula.
| Formula | First client collection | Partner commission (15%) | Payout timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40/30/30 | 200,000 FCFA on order | 75,000 FCFA | On deposit |
| 12-month subscription | ~42,000 FCFA month 1 | 75,000 FCFA | On subscription start |
| 50/50 | 250,000 FCFA on order | 75,000 FCFA | On deposit |
The Kolonell referral partner program
Installment financing is your best closing argument, and Kolonell pays you 15% on the website + 5% on recurring from the first deposit — you do not wait for delivery. Other divisions follow the same logic: 12% e-commerce, 10% marketplace, 8% institutional. By lifting the price objection with installments, a Lagos partner doubles their signing rate: signing 5 Growth websites per month thanks to easy payment represents 375,000 FCFA in monthly sale commissions.
Mini case study
Emeka, a partner in Lagos, presents a Growth website at 500,000 FCFA to a hair salon owner hesitating over the amount. He offers the 12-month subscription at 42,000 FCFA/month: "that's the price of two clients a month". She signs. Kolonell activates the subscription, Emeka earns his 75,000 FCFA commission on the first debit, plus 5% on recurring maintenance afterward. Without installments, this deal would never have happened.
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FAQ
Do installments reduce my commission?
No. Your 15% commission is calculated on the total project price (75,000 FCFA on a 500,000 FCFA Growth), and paid from the first deposit, whatever formula the client chooses.
Which formula best convinces an SME?
The monthly subscription smoothed over 12 months: ~42,000 FCFA/month on a 500,000 FCFA website. The SME compares it to a routine operating cost, not a large cash outflow.
How to handle "it's too expensive"?
Reframe as a monthly amount: "it's not 500,000 FCFA, it's 42,000 FCFA/month, the price of two sales". You shift the discussion from total to monthly capacity.
Do installments really increase closing?
Cash flow blocks about 60% of SME deals. Offering 40/30/30 or a subscription lifts that barrier and can double a partner's signing rate.
Can I offer installments on e-commerce too?
Yes. On a 2,000,000 FCFA Growth e-commerce, a 40/30/30 split makes the ticket digestible, and your 12% commission (240,000 FCFA) remains due from the first deposit.
Let's talk about your project. Cash-conscious Lagos SME or partner who wants to close more, let's frame an installment plan. 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.
