The verdict in three sentences
The marketplace pillar is the land of big tickets: 2.5 to 20 million FCFA per project, for a referral commission of 10%, that is 250,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA per deal. The sales cycle is long (1 to 4 months) and volume is low, but a single deal can exceed several months of showcase referral income. The strategy is no longer fieldwork but networking with project founders, investors and the diaspora.
The marketplace commission scale
Two to three tiers structure the offer, with a 10% commission (2026 figures).
| Tier | Sale price (FCFA) | 10% commission (FCFA) | EUR approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (20 vendors, auto split) | 2,500,000 | 250,000 | 381 € |
| Growth (unlimited vendors, KYC) | 5,000,000 | 500,000 | 762 € |
| Premium (AI, white-label, API) | 12,000,000 | 1,200,000 | 1,830 € |
| High Premium | 20,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 3,049 € |
A single Growth deal (500,000 FCFA commission) equals roughly 7 Growth showcase sites sold in the field.
Effort versus reward: showcase or marketplace?
The choice depends on your network and patience. Here is the comparison.
| Criterion | Showcase (15%) | Marketplace (10%) |
|---|---|---|
| Average ticket | 250,000 – 1,200,000 | 2,500,000 – 20,000,000 |
| Commission/deal | 37,500 – 180,000 | 250,000 – 2,000,000 |
| Sales cycle | 5 – 15 days | 1 – 4 months |
| Realistic volume/month | 3 – 5 | 0.3 – 1 |
| Channel | SME field | Networking, pitch |
| Buyer profile | SME manager | Project founder, investor |
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Marketplace does not suit the impatient beginner; it rewards the connected partner who can identify a serious, funded project founder.
Mini case study
Cheikh, a strategy consultant in Dakar, activates his network. In one quarter he introduces a diaspora founder launching a services marketplace: Growth tier at 5,000,000 FCFA. Commission: 500,000 FCFA on a single deal. Over the same period, an active showcase partner would have had to sign about 7 Growth sites (7 × 75,000 = 525,000 FCFA) by multiplying field meetings. Cheikh reaches a comparable result with one well-qualified contact.
FAQ
Why only 10% on such large amounts? Because 10% of 5,000,000 FCFA (500,000 FCFA) is still very high: the rate drops as the ticket rises, but the absolute amount explodes.
How long before I get paid? The full cycle lasts 1 to 4 months; the commission is paid after the deposit is collected, often substantial on these projects.
Where to find project founders? Entrepreneurial events, incubators, B2B LinkedIn, diaspora and investor networks: targeted networking beats volume.
Is the vendor/platform payment split an argument? Yes, it is central: demoing the automatic Wave/OM split (for example 85% vendor / 15% platform) reassures the founder about their model's viability.
Let's talk about your project. Become a Kolonell marketplace partner: 10% on tickets up to 20M FCFA, one deal can make your quarter. 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.
