The verdict in three sentences
A marketplace does not "pay" its vendors by hand: it splits every collection automatically between the vendor and the platform commission. On 10,000 FCFA at 15% commission, the vendor receives 8,500 FCFA and the platform keeps 1,500 FCFA, with funds held in escrow until delivery is confirmed. With a 48 to 72 h hold, a weekly payout and a 1 to 3% dispute rate, the flow must be watertight and traceable per transaction.
The flow of funds, step by step
Here is the lifecycle of a 10,000 FCFA payment on a marketplace at 15% commission (2026 order of magnitude).
| Step | Delay | State of funds |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer collection (mobile money) | instant | 10,000 FCFA in escrow |
| Split computed (85 / 15) | instant | 8,500 vendor / 1,500 platform |
| Hold until delivery confirmed | 48 to 72 h | funds locked |
| Release to vendor balance | after confirmation | 8,500 FCFA credited |
| Weekly payout to wallet | D+7 max | paid to vendor |
| Operator fee deducted | at collection | ~1 to 1.5% |
The critical point is escrow: until delivery is confirmed, neither the vendor nor the platform can withdraw the funds. That is what protects the buyer and makes dispute arbitration possible.
Commissions, refunds and disputes
The commission rate depends on the model. Here are benchmarks by marketplace type and how edge cases are handled.
| Parameter | 2026 range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist commission | 10 to 20% | by category |
| Services / freelance commission | 12 to 20% | platform value-add |
| Release window (hold) | 48 to 72 h | after delivery confirmation |
| Vendor payout | weekly | via mobile money |
| Dispute rate | 1 to 3% | of orders |
| Partial refund | pro rata | split recomputed |
On a partial refund, the split recomputes: if the buyer is refunded 3,000 FCFA out of 10,000, the platform commission adjusts proportionally to stay fair to the vendor.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Kodjo launches an artisan marketplace in Accra at 15% commission. In month one, 400 orders at an average 10,000 FCFA basket generate 4,000,000 FCFA in volume. The split pays 3,400,000 FCFA to vendors and keeps 600,000 FCFA for the platform. After deducting operator fees (~1.2% of volume, or 48,000 FCFA) and a 2% dispute rate handled in escrow, the platform's net margin lands around 552,000 FCFA for the month, fully automated with no manual payout intervention.
FAQ
Why lock funds in escrow before paying the vendor?
Because escrow protects the buyer: if delivery fails, the refund happens without having to claw money back from the vendor. It is the foundation of a trusted marketplace, with a typical hold of 48 to 72 h.
How is a partial refund handled in the split?
The split recomputes pro rata: the vendor share and the platform commission decrease proportionally to the refunded amount, so no single party bears the loss alone.
How often should vendors be paid?
A weekly payout is the standard: it balances vendor cash flow with dispute management. Some platforms offer faster payout as a paid option.
What dispute rate should I expect?
Between 1 and 3% of orders depending on the category. Escrow and a clear arbitration process keep this rate low and prevent unpaid balances to vendors.
Let's talk about your project. We build your marketplace with automatic split, escrow and weekly mobile money payouts. 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.
