The verdict in three sentences
Freight forwarders, customs brokers and logistics players carry institutional and marketplace projects with very high tickets: from 5,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA and up. The partner rate is lower here (8% institutional, 10% marketplace), but the absolute amount explodes: a single signing is worth 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA in commission. The cycle is long (2 to 4 months, IT director or CEO as decision-maker), but 1 to 2 deals a year are enough to make a partner's year.
Why chase high logistics tickets
West African logistics is an under-equipped sector under heavy pressure: container tracking, customs declarations, carrier coordination, client visibility. A platform that centralizes real-time tracking, connects customs systems and provides a client portal saves days of processing. The decision-maker is not a hurried merchant but a CEO or IT director thinking in operational ROI — hence a justified high ticket.
Two project shapes dominate: the institutional platform (container tracking, customs integration, secure portal) and the multi-carrier marketplace (matching shippers and carriers with a commission). The partner picks the angle based on the client: an established forwarding house or an entrepreneur wanting to aggregate freight supply.
Institutional vs marketplace: what the partner earns
The Kolonell scale applies 8% to institutional and 10% to marketplace. On these tickets, the rate gap is offset by the amount. 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Project type | 2026 ticket (FCFA) | Partner rate | Commission (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container-tracking platform | 5,000,000 | 8% | 400,000 |
| Customs portal + integrations | 8,000,000 | 8% | 640,000 |
| Premium institutional platform | 15,000,000 | 8% | 1,200,000 |
| Starter freight marketplace | 6,000,000 | 10% | 600,000 |
| Growth multi-carrier marketplace | 9,000,000 | 10% | 900,000 |
At equal ticket, the marketplace (10%) pays better as a percentage than institutional (8%). But the largest institutional projects (15,000,000 FCFA) remain the highest unit commissions in the whole partner scale.
The Kolonell referral program, all divisions
Comparing the four divisions helps the partner split effort between volume (showcases) and high tickets (logistics). Here is the full scale.
| Division | Partner rate | Recurring | 2026 sample ticket (FCFA) | Commission (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15% | + 5% maintenance | 800,000 | 120,000 |
| E-commerce | 12% | — | 2,000,000 | 240,000 |
| Marketplace | 10% | — | 6,000,000 | 600,000 |
| Institutional | 8% | — | 10,000,000 | 800,000 |
An institutional commission of 800,000 FCFA equals nearly 7 signed Growth showcases. For a partner well connected to large forwarding houses, aiming for 1 to 2 big deals a year is a strategy in its own right.
Mini case study
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Ibrahim, a former logistics executive in Abidjan, keeps a strong network among freight forwarders. He introduces Kolonell to a customs broker launching an institutional container-tracking platform at 8,000,000 FCFA: commission of 640,000 FCFA (8%). Six months later, an entrepreneur in his network signs a freight marketplace at 6,000,000 FCFA: 600,000 FCFA (10%). Over the year, with only 2 deals, Ibrahim collects 1,240,000 FCFA — without volume prospecting, just by activating the right relationships.
FAQ
How much does a logistics deal pay the partner?
From 400,000 FCFA (platform at 5,000,000 FCFA at 8%) to 1,200,000 FCFA (institutional at 15,000,000 FCFA). A freight marketplace at 6,000,000 FCFA pays 600,000 FCFA (10%).
Isn't the sales cycle too long?
It is long (2 to 4 months, IT director or CEO), but offset by the amount: 1 to 2 deals a year beat a year of small showcases. It is a patience strategy.
Institutional or marketplace, which to choose?
At equal ticket, the marketplace pays better (10% vs 8%). But the largest institutional projects (up to 15,000,000 FCFA) offer the highest unit commissions in the scale.
Do I have to manage the technical relationship with the IT director?
No. Kolonell handles scoping, development, customs integrations and delivery. The partner secures the introduction and maintains trust on the relationship side.
When am I paid on such a large project?
The commission is calculated on the signed amount and paid according to project collections, often staged by milestones on institutional tickets.
Let's talk about your project. Activate your logistics network as a Kolonell referral partner: 8% institutional, 10% marketplace, 12% e-commerce, 15% + 5% showcase. One big deal can be worth 1,200,000 FCFA. 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.
