The verdict in three sentences
For a company selling B2B in West Africa, the right payment aggregator is chosen first on the mix of methods your business customers actually use (bank transfer, mobile money, card), not on the headline fee. In 2026, fees range from 1% for Wave to 3.5% for international cards, with settlement between D+1 and D+3 and per-transaction limits that often block large B2B invoices. Budget FCFA 1 to 4 million (EUR 1,500 to 6,100) for integration, a key share of it for automatic accounting reconciliation.
Fees by payment method in 2026
The figures below are a 2026 order of magnitude seen in the Senegalese and wider WAEMU market for a business merchant account. Rates are negotiable above FCFA 20 million of monthly volume.
| Payment method | Merchant fee | Settlement | Typical per-transaction limit | Typical B2B use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave Business | 1% | D+0 to D+1 | FCFA 2 to 5 M depending on account | Small customers, urgent orders |
| Orange Money merchant | 1 to 1.5% | D+1 | FCFA 1 to 3 M | Customers outside capitals |
| Free Money / Moov Money | 1 to 1.5% | D+1 to D+2 | FCFA 1 to 2 M | Complement |
| GIM-UEMOA card | 1.5 to 2% | D+2 | Card-dependent | Locally banked companies |
| Visa or Mastercard | 2.5 to 3.5% | D+2 to D+3 | Card-dependent | Foreign customers, subsidiaries |
| Bank transfer with reference | 0 to 0.5% | D+1 to D+2 | Unlimited | Large invoices, key accounts |
On an FCFA 8 million invoice (about EUR 12,200), an international card costs up to FCFA 280,000 while a referenced transfer costs almost nothing. The aggregator must steer the customer to the right method based on the amount.
Comparing aggregators: the criteria that matter
| Criterion | What to require | Why it is critical in B2B |
|---|---|---|
| Method coverage | Wave, Orange Money, Free/Moov Money, cards, transfer | One contract, one reconciliation |
| Settlement time | D+1 maximum on mobile money | Cash flow of a local subsidiary |
| Limits | Raise possible above FCFA 5 M | High B2B invoices |
| Reconciliation | Webhook with invoice number, export to SAP, Sage or Odoo | Saves 2 to 3 days of matching a month |
| Partial payments and deposits | Payment links per instalment | Contracts with a 30% deposit |
| KYC and BCEAO compliance | Clear merchant file, opening times | 2 to 6 weeks to open an account |
| Support | Dedicated contact in Dakar or Abidjan | Disputes and refunds |
BCEAO rules require a full KYC file: trade register, tax ID (NINEA in Senegal), articles of association, directors' IDs, proof of bank account. An international company usually needs a local entity or a cross-border aggregator licensed in the WAEMU zone. Opening takes 2 to 6 weeks.
Integration budget
| Item | Simple integration | Full integration |
|---|---|---|
| Payment button and return pages | FCFA 400,000 | FCFA 700,000 |
| Secure webhooks and failure handling | FCFA 300,000 | FCFA 800,000 |
| Per-invoice payment links and deposits | FCFA 200,000 | FCFA 700,000 |
| Automatic reconciliation to SAP, Sage or Odoo | FCFA 100,000 | FCFA 1,200,000 |
| Testing, acceptance, go-live | Included | FCFA 600,000 |
| Total | FCFA 1,000,000 (EUR 1,525) | FCFA 4,000,000 (EUR 6,100) |
Mini case study
Julia, CFO of a European industrial supplies group with a subsidiary in Dakar, collects FCFA 60 million a month there: 50% by transfer, 35% by Wave and Orange Money, 15% by card. Estimated fees: transfer 0.3% or FCFA 90,000, mobile money 1.2% or FCFA 252,000, card 2.5% or FCFA 225,000, total FCFA 567,000 a month (about EUR 865). Without automatic reconciliation, the local accountant spends 3 days a month matching, about FCFA 150,000. With a full integration at FCFA 4 million, matching disappears and collection time drops by 12 days, freeing about FCFA 24 million of cash. The integration pays back in under 27 months on accounting time alone, much faster once cash is valued.
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FAQ
What fee is charged on mobile money in West Africa?
In 2026, expect about 1% with Wave and 1 to 1.5% with Orange Money, Free Money or Moov Money on a merchant account. Rates are negotiable above FCFA 20 million a month.
How long until funds arrive?
Mobile money settles between D+0 and D+2, cards between D+2 and D+3. Require D+1 maximum in your contract if cash flow is tight.
Can a FCFA 10 million invoice be paid by mobile money?
Rarely in one transaction, as limits sit around FCFA 1 to 5 million. A referenced bank transfer remains the best option for large invoices.
Can a foreign company open a merchant account?
Usually through a local entity or a cross-border aggregator licensed in the WAEMU zone. The file includes trade register, tax ID, articles and directors' IDs, with 2 to 6 weeks to open.
How much does integration on our site or portal cost?
Between FCFA 1 and 4 million (EUR 1,525 to 6,100) depending on depth: a simple payment button or automatic reconciliation with your accounting software.
Let's scope your project. Share your monthly volume, payment mix and accounting software: we recommend the right aggregator and price the integration between FCFA 1 and 4 million, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
