The verdict in three sentences
The marketplace referral program is the big-ticket game: 10% on projects of 2,500,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA, that is 250,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA per deal. The rate is lower than websites and e-commerce, but one signing can be worth ten Growth websites. In return, the sales cycle is long (2 to 6 months) and prospects are rare: entrepreneurs and investors, not corner merchants.
The marketplace rate card in detail
A marketplace is a multi-vendor platform with automatic payment splitting. Here is the 10% commission:
| Marketplace tier | Price (FCFA) | 10% commission | Key content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 2,500,000 | 250,000 | 20 vendors, Wave/OM split |
| Growth | 5,000,000 | 500,000 | Unlimited vendors, KYC, PWA |
| Premium | 12,000,000 | 1,200,000 | AI, affiliation, white-label |
| Premium+ | 20,000,000 | 2,000,000 | Public API, SLA, custom |
A single Premium marketplace at 12,000,000 FCFA pays 1,200,000 FCFA in commission: the equivalent of sixteen Growth websites signed. This is the line where a whole year can hinge on two or three deals.
Sales cycle and prospect profile
You do not prospect a marketplace like a website. Here are the benchmarks for a partner:
| Criterion | Marketplace |
|---|---|
| Commission rate | 10% |
| Average ticket | 2,500,000 – 20,000,000 |
| Commission per deal | 250,000 – 2,000,000 |
| Sales cycle | 2 to 6 months |
| Prospect profile | Entrepreneur, investor, diaspora |
| Target deals/year | 2 to 4 |
The typical prospect carries a platform project (local Jumia, local Fiverr, or property listings) and is looking for a credible technical partner. A partner with access to these networks (incubators, investor clubs, diaspora) is in a strong position.
Why there is no recurring here
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Unlike websites and e-commerce, the marketplace line pays no 5% recurring: the model rests on very high one-off tickets and project relationships. That said, a signed marketplace often opens billable extensions (new modules, scaling) where the partner can be associated case by case.
Mini case study
Aïcha, a member of an investor club in Nairobi, meets an entrepreneur who wants to launch a peer-to-peer services marketplace. She introduces him to Kolonell. After a 4-month cycle, the project signs as Growth at 5,000,000 FCFA. Commission: 500,000 FCFA on a single introduction. With two such deals a year, Aïcha earns 1,000,000 FCFA without ever touching code.
FAQ
Why only 10% on marketplace? Because the ticket is the highest in the catalogue. At 5,000,000 FCFA, 10% already pays 500,000 FCFA, well above a website or e-commerce deal.
Is the 2-to-6-month cycle a problem? It is the price of the big ticket. A marketplace partner runs few deals in parallel but each is worth a lot. It takes patience and a tracking pipeline.
Where do I find marketplace prospects? Incubators, investor clubs, diaspora networks, entrepreneurial events. The prospect has a platform project and a budget, not just a need for a site.
Is there an advance for the partner during the cycle? Commission drops when the client pays. On big projects, Kolonell often bills by milestones, which can stagger the partner's commission.
Can I combine marketplace with other lines? Yes. Many partners live off websites and e-commerce day to day, and keep marketplace as an exceptional high-commission play.
Let's talk about your project. Become a Kolonell marketplace partner and earn up to 2,000,000 FCFA per deal signed. 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.