The verdict in three sentences
A referral partner who introduces a marketplace project earns 10 % of the amount, and since these projects start at 2,500,000 FCFA, one signature is worth 250,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA. In absolute terms this is the highest payout tier in the program, ahead of institutional (8 % on even bigger tickets). The trade-off: a longer sales cycle (2 to 6 months) and a rarer target — entrepreneurs and investors, not neighborhood shopkeepers.
Commission comparison by division
The Kolonell referral scale varies by division. The percentage drops as the ticket rises, but the commission in francs explodes.
| Division | Referral rate | 2026 project ticket | Commission per deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitrine | 15 % + 5 % recurring | 250,000 – 1,200,000 FCFA | 37,500 – 180,000 FCFA |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 1,000,000 – 6,000,000 FCFA | 120,000 – 720,000 FCFA |
| Marketplace | 10 % | 2,500,000 – 20,000,000+ FCFA | 250,000 – 2,000,000+ FCFA |
| Institutional | 8 % | 5,000,000 – 60,000,000+ FCFA | 400,000 – 4,800,000+ FCFA |
A Starter vitrine pays 37,500 FCFA; a Growth marketplace at 5,000,000 FCFA pays 500,000 FCFA — thirteen Starter vitrines in one shot.
Volume versus value: the real trade-off
The temptation is to stack easy small deals. But let's do the math on invested time.
| 6-month scenario | Deals closed | Unit commission | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive vitrine hunting | 12 | 60,000 FCFA | 720,000 FCFA |
| E-commerce mix | 5 | 300,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 FCFA |
| One marketplace + follow-up | 1 | 1,200,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA |
| One institutional Premium | 1 | 1,200,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA |
A single well-placed marketplace equals or beats six months of vitrine prospecting. The vitrine recurring (5 %) is still nice for cash flow, but wealth is built at the high end.
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Mini case study
Cheikh, a consultant in Dakar, knows a developer who wants to launch an agricultural marketplace. He makes the introduction to Kolonell. The project is scoped as a Growth marketplace at 6,000,000 FCFA. At 10 %, Cheikh earns 600,000 FCFA at signing. The cycle took 4 months, but over the same period he had only closed 3 vitrines (around 150,000 FCFA total). His one marketplace introduction paid 4 times more from a single activated contact.
FAQ
What is the exact rate for a marketplace? The marketplace referral commission is 10 % of the project amount, paid when the client contract is signed. On a 12,000,000 FCFA ticket, that is 1,200,000 FCFA.
Why is the marketplace rate (10 %) lower than vitrine (15 %)? Because the ticket is far larger: 10 % of several million dwarfs 15 % of a few hundred thousand. The absolute commission is the true metric, not the percentage.
How long before I get paid? The marketplace sales cycle runs 2 to 6 months from introduction to signing. Once the contract is signed and the deposit collected, the commission is settled per the referral program terms.
Do I need to be formally registered to receive these amounts? Yes. For commissions of this size, a registered business (NINEA in Senegal) lets you invoice cleanly and secure payment. It is essential once you aim high.
Can I combine vitrine and marketplace referrals? Absolutely. Many partners fund their daily income with fast vitrines and bet on one or two marketplaces per year for the big earnings.
Let's talk about your project. Know an entrepreneur who wants to launch a multi-vendor platform? Introduce them and earn 10%. 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.
