The verdict in three sentences
Funerals are Senegal's most universal and least-prepared unexpected expense. Digital death cover turns a 300,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA disaster into a monthly premium of 1,000 to 5,000 FCFA, with a payout within 48 h. Penetration under 2 % makes this market almost untapped — and 100 % online subscription is the only way to serve it at scale.
Why digital unlocks this market
The historical barrier isn't need — it's universal — but distribution: scarce branches, paperwork, distrust. A mobile funnel (light KYC, Wave/OM payment, instant certificate) cuts acquisition cost and makes subscription possible from a village.
| Plan | Monthly premium | Funeral capital | Payout delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 1,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA | 48 h |
| Comfort | 2,500 FCFA | 750,000 FCFA | 48 h |
| Family | 4,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA | 72 h |
| Premium | 5,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 FCFA | 72 h |
The mobile subscription funnel
Every removed step raises the completion rate. Here's the gap between a branch subscription and an optimized digital funnel.
| Step | Branch subscription | Digital funnel |
|---|---|---|
| Travel required | yes | no |
| Supporting documents | photocopies | smartphone photo |
| First premium payment | cash at counter | Wave / Orange Money |
| Certificate issuance delay | 3 to 7 days | instant |
| Completion rate | 20 to 30 % | 55 to 70 % |
| Acquisition cost | high | reduced |
The referral agent's role
Distributing this product is income: at Kolonell, the referral program rewards the introduction. On a death-cover website or app sold to an insurer, the agent earns 12 % in e-commerce/insurtech, and 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase site. A broker placing 20 cover contracts a month builds a steady stream on top of their technical insurance commission.
Mini case study
Moussa, a broker in Dakar, places the Comfort plan (2,500 FCFA/month, 750,000 FCFA capital) to 40 new policyholders/month. At an annual premium of 30,000 FCFA per contract, he feeds a portfolio of 40 × 30,000 = 1,200,000 FCFA in premiums/month on the insurer's side. In parallel, he had Kolonell build the platform and earns a referral commission on the web project. The digital funnel, which doubles his completion rate (from 30 % to 60 %), mechanically doubles his production without doubling his prospecting effort.
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FAQ
How much do funerals really cost in Senegal?
The 2026 order of magnitude ranges from 300,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA depending on rites and family. That's exactly the range of capitals offered by death cover.
How fast is the capital paid out?
Digital plans target a payout within 48 to 72 h after receiving the death certificate, precisely because cash is the urgent need at that moment.
Can you subscribe entirely online?
Yes: photo KYC, first premium via Wave or Orange Money, certificate issued instantly. The digital funnel lifts completion from ~30 % to 55-70 %.
Why is the market so under-penetrated?
Life insurance penetration stays under 2 % of the population: not for lack of need, but for lack of accessible distribution. Digital removes exactly that barrier.
How do you earn money distributing this product?
Via the Kolonell referral program (12 % in insurtech/e-commerce) on top of the technical insurance commission. A regular broker builds cumulative income.
Let's talk about your project. We build your death-cover platform with mobile subscription and Wave/Orange Money payment. 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.
