The verdict in three sentences
InTouch exposes a single API for Wave, Orange Money and Free Money, where a direct integration requires three separate SDKs to maintain. The main gain is avoided technical debt: one integration instead of three, unified reconciliation, about 50 % of dev time saved. The price is a third-party dependency and an aggregator fee of roughly 2 %, a trade-off to weigh coldly against your volume.
One integration versus three
The crux: how many times do you want to integrate, test and maintain a payment method? InTouch pools that work.
| Criterion | Direct integration (3 operators) | Single InTouch API |
|---|---|---|
| Number of integrations | 3 separate SDKs | 1 endpoint |
| Estimated dev time | 100 % baseline | ~50 % |
| Reconciliation | 3 separate reports | 1 consolidated report |
| Settlement | Per operator (D+1 to D+2) | Consolidated D+2 |
| Fees | 1-2 % per operator | ~2 % aggregator |
| Dependency | Low | High (single third party) |
If your team is small, pooling via InTouch frees weeks of development and maintenance.
Total cost and risk to weigh
The single API is not free: it adds a margin and a single point of failure. Here is how to frame the 2026 decision.
| Factor | Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly volume | Below 3M FCFA, direct isn't justified | InTouch |
| Tech team size | Small team = costly maintenance | InTouch |
| Fee sensitivity | High volume, thin margin | Consider direct |
| Dependency tolerance | A third party = continuity risk | Plan a backup |
| Launch deadline | Need it fast | InTouch (5-10 days) |
The rule: InTouch to move fast and stay lean; direct when volume makes every half point of fees significant.
Mini case study
Modou is launching an online grocery store in Dakar, alone with a freelance developer. In a direct integration, wiring Wave, OM and Free costs him about 6 weeks of dev and three monthly reconciliations. Via InTouch, he drops to 3 weeks and a single report. On a 700,000 FCFA direct dev cost, the single API saves him nearly 350,000 FCFA and above all time to market, at the price of ~0.5 point of extra fees.
Kolonell wires InTouch, and you earn as a referral partner
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A well-integrated single API means fewer bugs and a faster launch. Kolonell handles it, and if you refer a merchant, the Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays you on every signed project.
| Type of referred project | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | +5 % |
| E-commerce | 12 % | - |
| Marketplace | 10 % | - |
| Institutional | 8 % | - |
An e-commerce deal at 3,000,000 FCFA earns you 360,000 FCFA. You refer, we integrate InTouch, you get paid.
FAQ
Does InTouch really replace three integrations?
Yes: a single endpoint routes to Wave, OM and Free. You halve development time and go from three reconciliation reports to one, consolidated at D+2.
What is the extra cost versus direct?
Allow around 2 % aggregator fees, often 0.5 to 1 point above a direct operator-by-operator integration. That premium is justified below 3,000,000 FCFA of monthly volume or with a small tech team.
What is the main risk?
Dependency on a single third party: if InTouch has an incident, all your payments are affected. Plan a backup (one operator wired directly as fallback) if your revenue depends heavily on it.
How fast can you be in production?
Usually 5 to 10 business days via InTouch, versus 3 to 6 weeks for a direct integration of all three operators. That is the decisive argument when time-to-market comes first.
Let's talk about your project. We assess whether InTouch is the right choice for your volume and integrate it. 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.
