The verdict in three sentences
Across the four Kolonell poles, marketplace offers the best effort-to-commission ratio for an ambitious referral partner: 10 % on tickets of 2.5 to 12 million FCFA and up. In Lagos in 2026, a single marketplace Growth deal pays as much as seven showcase referrals. The sales cycle is longer (2 to 3 months) but one deal per quarter is enough to build substantial income.
The marketplace commission scale
The Kolonell referral program pays 10 % on the marketplace pole. Here is what that means concretely per tier (2026 order of magnitude):
| Marketplace tier | Project price | Commission 10 % | Recurring 5 % (maintenance ~150,000/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 2,500,000 FCFA | 250,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA/mo |
| Starter high | 3,500,000 FCFA | 350,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA/mo |
| Growth | 5,000,000 FCFA | 500,000 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA/mo |
| Growth high | 7,000,000 FCFA | 700,000 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA/mo |
| Premium | 12,000,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA | 12,500 FCFA/mo |
| Premium+ | 20,000,000 FCFA | 2,000,000 FCFA | 12,500 FCFA/mo |
Even at the Starter tier, the commission (250,000 FCFA) beats a referred Premium showcase. Marketplace is the pole where the absolute amount justifies the longer sales cycle.
Marketplace vs showcase: the effort/revenue comparison
To grasp the leverage, let's compare how many deals it takes to reach 500,000 FCFA in commission:
| Referral type | Average price | Commission | Deals for 500,000 FCFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase Growth | 500,000 FCFA | 15 % = 75,000 FCFA | ~7 deals |
| E-commerce Growth | 2,000,000 FCFA | 12 % = 240,000 FCFA | ~2 deals |
| Marketplace Growth | 5,000,000 FCFA | 10 % = 500,000 FCFA | 1 deal |
Seven showcase introductions, or one successful conversation with an entrepreneur launching their platform. The commission rate is lower (10 % vs 15 %), but the base amount changes everything.
Who to target and how
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Marketplace prospects are not isolated merchants but entrepreneurs and investors with a platform vision. In Lagos in 2026, three profiles dominate:
- The local platform founder — Jumia-style, multi-category, wants to aggregate vendors.
- The services marketplace — freelancer/provider matching, Fiverr-style local.
- The real-estate marketplace — sale/rental listings, agents and individuals.
You find these prospects at startup events, incubators, and diaspora investor networks. Your job as a referral partner: spot the project owner, understand their need for multi-vendor + Wave/Orange Money split payments, and connect them to Kolonell, which handles the quote and technical architecture.
Mini case study
Chidinma, independent consultant in Lagos. She attends entrepreneurial meetups downtown. In March 2026 she meets a founder wanting to launch a marketplace of artisanal products for the diaspora. She qualifies the need (multiple vendors, Wave payment, automatic split) and refers it to Kolonell. The project closes as a marketplace Growth at 5,000,000 FCFA after 10 weeks. Chidinma's commission: 500,000 FCFA, plus 10,000 FCFA/month recurring maintenance. One deal, one quarter, the equivalent of more than 3 months of median Lagos salary — for having listened and connected.
FAQ
Why is the marketplace commission 10 % and not 15 % like showcase? Because the tickets are far larger: 10 % of 5,000,000 FCFA (500,000 FCFA) pays much more than 15 % of 500,000 FCFA (75,000 FCFA). The percentage drops, the absolute amount explodes.
How long between contact and commission? Budget 2 to 3 months for a marketplace project: the quote, multi-vendor architecture and payment split require a scoping phase. The commission is paid on signature/first deposit per the program terms.
Do I need technical skills to refer a marketplace? No. You must understand the business need (multiple vendors, commissions, local payment) but Kolonell handles all the tech. Your value is the relationship and spotting the project.
Is one marketplace deal a year worth it? Yes: a marketplace Growth (500,000 FCFA) or Premium (1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA) is significant income on its own. Combined with more frequent showcase/e-commerce referrals, marketplace becomes the "big win" that boosts the year.
Let's talk about your project. You have an entrepreneur network in Lagos and want to monetize your marketplace introductions at 10 %: join the Kolonell referral program. 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.
