The verdict in three sentences
The merchant QR code is the fastest way to collect in-store in Senegal: 0 FCFA to issue, instant payment and a 0 % data-entry error rate since the amount is confirmed by the customer. Expect around 1 % in fees with Wave and 1.5 % with Orange Money, with per-transaction limits of roughly 1,000,000 FCFA (Wave) to 2,000,000 FCFA (OM). The right choice hinges on one thing: a static QR (simple, the customer types the amount) or a dynamic one (pre-filled amount, error-proof).
Static vs dynamic QR
| Criterion | Static QR | Dynamic QR |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance cost | 0 FCFA | 0 FCFA (generated at till) |
| Amount | Typed by customer | Pre-filled by merchant |
| Amount-error risk | Low but real | None |
| Collection speed | Fast | Very fast |
| Best for | Small shops, variable amounts | Till, restaurant, fixed amounts |
| Anti-fraud | Check confirmation | Reference tied to order |
| Setup | Display 1 fixed QR | App/till integration |
The static QR is simply stuck on the counter: it suits small shops where the customer types the amount. The dynamic QR, generated for each sale, eliminates amount errors and ties each payment to an order — ideal for restaurants or omnichannel e-commerce.
Fees and limits: Wave vs Orange Money
| Criterion | Wave | Orange Money |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant fee (2026 ballpark) | ~1 % | ~1.5 % |
| Per-transaction limit | ~1,000,000 FCFA | ~2,000,000 FCFA |
| Collection | Instant | Instant |
| QR cost | 0 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Confirmation | App notification | App/SMS notification |
| Data-entry error rate | 0 % | 0 % |
On 5,000,000 FCFA collected per month, the fee gap between Wave (1 %) and OM (1.5 %) is 50,000 FCFA vs 75,000 FCFA, a 25,000 FCFA monthly difference in Wave's favor. Many shops therefore display both QR codes and default to Wave.
Anti-fraud control at the till
The number-one risk of a static QR: a customer shows a fake payment screenshot. Three reflexes:
- Never validate on a screenshot: require the notification received on the merchant side.
- Check the exact amount and time on your merchant app, not on the customer's phone.
- For large amounts, prefer the dynamic QR with an order reference.
With a dynamic QR linked to the till, screenshot fraud becomes nearly impossible since each payment maps to a timestamped order.
Mini case study
Fatou runs a ready-to-wear shop in Thiès and collects 4,000,000 FCFA/month, 60 % via mobile money. By displaying a Wave QR rather than Orange Money by default, she pays 1 % instead of 1.5 % on the 2,400,000 FCFA of mobile money.
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Saving: 24,000 FCFA (Wave) vs 36,000 FCFA (OM), a 12,000 FCFA/month = 144,000 FCFA/year. She keeps an OM QR as backup for customers who only have that wallet, and switches to a dynamic QR on sales above 100,000 FCFA to block screenshot fraud.
FAQ
How much does a merchant QR code cost?
Issuance is free, 0 FCFA, on Wave as on Orange Money. You only pay the transaction fee, around 1 % (Wave) to 1.5 % (OM) on amounts collected.
What is the per-payment limit?
2026 ballpark: about 1,000,000 FCFA per transaction with Wave and up to 2,000,000 FCFA with Orange Money. For higher amounts, split or use a merchant link.
Static or dynamic: which to choose?
Static suits small shops with variable amounts; dynamic, which pre-fills the amount, eliminates entry errors and screenshot fraud. Tills and restaurants benefit from dynamic.
How do I avoid fake payment screenshots?
Never validate a sale on the customer's screenshot: check the notification received on your own merchant app, with exact amount and time. A dynamic QR tied to an order removes almost all risk.
Should I display both Wave and Orange Money?
It's recommended so you turn away no customer. Many default to Wave for its lower fees (1 % vs 1.5 %) while keeping OM as backup.
Let's talk about your project. We deploy your Wave and Orange Money QR codes, static or dynamic, with anti-fraud control. 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.
