The verdict in three sentences
Selling training on your own platform instead of a marketplace raises net margin from 40-70 % to over 98 %. The technical key across West and East Africa is bandwidth-friendly video (light streaming, offline download) paired with MoMo, Paystack or M-Pesa payment. With drip module access and a certificate at the end, a GHS 300 course becomes an asset you sell hundreds of times.
Marketplace vs your own platform: the margin gap
| Criterion | Marketplace (Udemy-like) | Your own platform |
|---|---|---|
| Commission taken | 30 to 60 % | 0 % (operator fee ~1.5 %) |
| Price control | No (forced promos) | Yes |
| Customer data | No | Yes, your list |
| MoMo / Paystack payment | Rare | Native |
| Your own brand | No | Yes |
| Follow-up / upsell | Impossible | Email + SMS |
On a course sold at GHS 300, a marketplace may pay back only GHS 150. On your platform you collect about GHS 295.50. The GHS 145 difference per sale, times volume, funds the platform within a few months.
What you need technically and what it costs
| Module | Benefit | Indicative 2026 cost (GHS) |
|---|---|---|
| Light video hosting (3G) | Smooth playback even rural | Included + ~200 / month storage |
| MoMo / Paystack payment | Instant local collection | Fee 1 to 1.5 % / sale |
| Drip module access | Retain learner, upsell | Included in base |
| Automatic PDF certificate | Perceived value, job proof | Included in base |
| Member area + progress tracking | Loyalty, completion rate | Included in base |
| Platform development | Site + sales funnel | 10,000 to 25,000 |
Course prices commonly sit between GHS 180 and GHS 1,800 depending on depth and audience. Certifying professional courses (accounting, digital marketing, web skills) sell at the top of the range.
Mini case study
Kwame, a digital-marketing trainer in Accra, sold a GHS 360 course on an international marketplace but kept only 40 % after commission, i.e. GHS 144 per sale. Over 200 sales a year: GHS 28,800.
He launches his own platform (build cost: GHS 18,000) with mobile-money payment and drip access. Same price, same volume, but he keeps 98.5 %, i.e. GHS 354.60 per sale. Over 200 sales: GHS 70,920. Net first-year gain: over GHS 24,000 after paying off the platform, plus a list of 200 customers he can market a second course to.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Know trainers, coaches or schools who want to sell online? The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays you for every project you bring: 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase site or training platform, 12 % on an e-commerce project, 10 % on a marketplace and 8 % on an institutional project. One successful introduction on a platform priced at the equivalent of 1,500,000 FCFA earns you 225,000 FCFA, plus a recurring cut on maintenance.
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FAQ
Does the video work on a 3G connection?
Yes, with adaptive encoding and an offline-download option, a course stays watchable even at low bandwidth. We aim for video segments under 10 MB per minute to stay smooth.
What price should I set for a course?
Between GHS 180 and GHS 1,800 depending on the topic. Certifying, career-oriented courses justify higher pricing, often GHS 600 to GHS 1,800.
How do I collect payment without a marketplace?
MoMo and Paystack are natively integrated: the learner pays, access unlocks automatically, and funds land in your merchant account with only ~1.5 % in fees.
Does the certificate carry value?
The automatic PDF certificate carries your brand and a verifiable ID. It raises perceived value and completion rates, often by 20 to 30 %.
How long to launch?
A training platform with 3 to 5 courses goes live in 4 to 6 weeks, payment funnel included.
Let's talk about your project. Let's build your training platform so you keep 98 % of your sales instead of feeding a marketplace. 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.
