The verdict in three sentences
An aggregator lets you collect MTN MoMo, M-Pesa, cards and bank transfers through one integration, across several countries. In 2026 fees sit around 1.95% to 3.8% depending on the provider, with settlements of T+1 to T+7. The choice hinges on countries covered, webhook quality and payout speed — not just the headline rate.
Aggregator comparison for Ghana and Kenya (2026)
2026 orders of magnitude, to confirm against your negotiated volume. "On quote" rates fall with monthly volume.
| Aggregator | Transaction fee | Countries covered | Settlement | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paystack | 1.95% (GH) / 1.5% (local KE) | GH, NG, KE, ZA | T+1 | GHS 0 |
| Flutterwave | up to 3.8% (intl) / ~1.5% M-Pesa | 30+ countries | T+1 to T+7 | 0 |
| DPO Group | ~2.9% | KE, GH, 20+ Africa | T+2 to T+5 | on quote |
| M-Pesa Daraja (direct) | ~1.5% | KE, TZ | T+1 | on quote |
| Pesapal | ~3.0% | KE, UG, TZ | T+1 to T+3 | 0 |
"On quote" aggregators (DPO, direct M-Pesa) suit larger volumes and enterprise integration; Paystack and Flutterwave suit SMEs that want to launch fast.
Multi-country aggregator vs several direct APIs
If you sell in one country at high volume, direct operator APIs are cheaper (~1.5%). As soon as you target several countries, the aggregator wins on development and maintenance cost.
| Criterion | Multi-country aggregator | Several direct APIs |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction cost | 1.95 – 3.8% | ~1.5% |
| Integrations to maintain | 1 | 1 per operator/country |
| Time to go live | 3 – 7 days | 3 – 6 weeks / operator |
| Adding a new country | Config | New dev project |
| Webhooks | Provided, unified | Build for each |
| Reconciliation | One dashboard | Multiple |
The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) programme
Do you know merchants or founders who need to collect online? Become a Kolonell referral partner and earn commission on every project signed thanks to you:
| Project type | Sale commission | Recurring commission |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase website | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
On an e-commerce project sold at the equivalent of 2,000,000 FCFA, a referrer earns 240,000 FCFA. No quota, paid via mobile money.
Mini case study
Amara, founder of an online store operating in Ghana and Kenya, does the equivalent of GHS 200,000/month in sales.
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- With Paystack at ~1.95%: GHS 200,000 × 1.95% = GHS 3,900/month.
- With two direct APIs at ~1.5%: GHS 3,000/month in fees, but ~GHS 16,000 of development to cover both countries and maintain two integrations.
- The fee gap (GHS 900/month) takes ~18 months to repay the extra dev cost.
Conclusion: Amara stays on the aggregator until volume grows well beyond this.
FAQ
Which aggregator covers the most countries in 2026?
Flutterwave covers the widest (30+ countries). Paystack focuses on GH/NG/KE/ZA; DPO spans 20+ African markets.
Which has the fastest settlement?
Several offer T+1 (Paystack, Flutterwave local, direct M-Pesa). "On quote" payouts can stretch to T+7.
Can I negotiate fees?
Yes, above a certain monthly volume (often the equivalent of GHS 30,000+), rates drop, especially with DPO and enterprise deals.
Are there setup fees?
Often zero at Paystack and Flutterwave, higher with enterprise providers. Negotiate them — they are frequently waived during onboarding.
Does an aggregator handle webhooks for me?
Yes, that is a major advantage: unified, hardened webhooks and a single reconciliation dashboard for all operators.
Let's talk about your project. We pick and integrate the optimal aggregator for your countries and volume. 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.