The verdict in three sentences
The CFA/EUR rate is fixed (1 EUR = 655.957 CFA, official peg), but your PSP applies a 2 to 4 % spread on dynamic conversions and an international card costs around 3.8 %. Showing a fixed price in local currency avoids perceived volatility but shifts risk and cost onto you; dynamic conversion shows it to the customer but sometimes hurts conversion. The right choice depends on your audience: diaspora, local, or mixed.
Cost by currency and collection method
The total cost of an international sale is not just the displayed price: you must add the PSP's FX spread and the payment-method fees. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for a 100 EUR basket (about 65,596 CFA).
| Displayed currency / method | FX spread | Payment-method fee | Indicative total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFA / local mobile money | 0 % | 1 to 2 % | 1 to 2 % |
| EUR / international card | 2 to 4 % | ~3.8 % | 6 to 8 % |
| USD / international card | 2 to 4 % | ~3.8 % | 6 to 8 % |
| EUR / SEPA transfer | 0.5 to 1 % | low flat fee | 1 to 2 % |
| CFA / local card | 0 % | ~1.8 % | 1.8 % |
An international card stacks spread and fees: total cost can reach 6 to 8 %. Conversely, collecting in local mobile money stays the cheapest route when the customer is in the CFA zone.
Margin impact and display strategy
On a product with 40 % gross margin, every point of payment cost eats directly into profit. Let's compare fixed-price display (you absorb the spread) against dynamic conversion (the customer sees today's rate).
| Strategy | Advantage | Risk | Indicative margin loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed local price (CFA) | Readable, stable | Spread absorbed by you | 0 to 2 % |
| Fixed EUR price shown | Diaspora comfort | High card cost | 6 to 8 % |
| Dynamic conversion | Rate transparency | Possible conversion drop | 2 to 4 % |
| Dual display CFA + EUR | Best of both | Technical complexity | 1 to 3 % |
In Lagos, billing in NGN, USD or EUR also changes the card acceptance rate: offering the local currency reduces bank declines. Dual CFA + EUR display, with local-currency collection, is often the best compromise.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Ibrahim sells clothing online from Dakar, with 30 % diaspora customers in France. Average basket: 100 EUR. If he collects everything by international card, he pays about 7 % total cost, i.e. 7 EUR per order. By switching diaspora customers to SEPA transfer (1.5 % cost) and keeping mobile money for locals, his average cost falls to about 2.5 %, i.e. 2.50 EUR per order. On 200 orders/month at 100 EUR, he saves about 900 EUR/month, purely by optimising the collection method.
FAQ
Does the CFA/EUR rate move? No, the peg is fixed at 1 EUR = 655.957 CFA. Variability comes from the PSP spread (2 to 4 %), not the official rate.
What does an international card really cost? As a 2026 order of magnitude, about 3.8 % in fees plus the FX spread, for a total of 6 to 8 % depending on the PSP.
Should you display prices in euros for the diaspora? Dual CFA + EUR display is often optimal: the customer sees a familiar price while paying locally, keeping cost to 1 to 3 %.
Does dynamic conversion scare customers away? It can drop conversion by a few points because the displayed rate surprises. A fixed price reassures more, at the cost of a 2 to 4 % spread absorbed by the merchant.
Is SEPA transfer worthwhile for large baskets? Yes, at 0.5 to 1 % plus a low flat fee, it becomes very competitive above a 100 EUR basket.
Let's talk about your project. We configure a multi-currency checkout that protects your margin based on your audience. 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.
