The verdict in three sentences
An aggregator (Paystack, Flutterwave, Bizao) gets you live in 3 days but charges 2.5 to 3.5 % per transaction, eroding your margin on every sale. Direct integration with mobile money operators cuts fees to roughly 1 to 1.5 %, but costs 3 to 6 weeks of development and a budget near 1,800,000 FCFA. Direct becomes profitable above roughly 15,000,000 FCFA in monthly volume; below that, the aggregator remains the rational choice.
Fee comparison per transaction
The headline rate isn't everything, but it frames the decision. Here are 2026 ballpark figures for a local operator.
| Solution | Fee / transaction | Time-to-market | Integration cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregator Paystack | 1.5 % + fixed | 2-3 days | ~150,000 FCFA |
| Aggregator Flutterwave | 1.4 - 3.5 % | 3-5 days | ~200,000 FCFA |
| Aggregator Bizao | 2.5 - 3.5 % | 3-5 days | ~180,000 FCFA |
| Wave direct | 1.0 % | 3-4 weeks | ~900,000 FCFA |
| Mobile money API direct | 1.5 % | 2-4 weeks | ~800,000 FCFA |
| Two operators direct | 1.0 - 1.5 % | 4-6 weeks | ~1,800,000 FCFA |
Aggregators charge a premium because they absorb complexity: one contract, one webhook, one reconciliation across all operators. Direct means managing each operator relationship separately.
The hidden cost of direct integration
Beyond the build budget, direct integration carries recurring costs that are easy to forget.
| Item | Aggregator | Direct integration |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts to sign | 1 | 2 to 4 (one per operator) |
| Webhooks to maintain | 1 | 2 to 4 |
| Daily reconciliation | Consolidated | Per operator |
| Estimated annual maintenance | Included | 300,000 - 500,000 FCFA |
| Incident support path | Shared | Direct with operator |
Direct integration makes you autonomous but shifts the operational load onto your team. It's a trade-off between margin and staff time.
Mini case study
Amara, who runs an online cosmetics shop, does 8,000,000 FCFA in monthly online sales. With an aggregator at 3 %, she pays 240,000 FCFA in monthly fees. Going direct (weighted average ~1.2 %), she'd pay 96,000 FCFA, saving 144,000 FCFA per month. But her direct integration costs 1,800,000 FCFA. Payback: 1,800,000 ÷ 144,000 ≈ 12.5 months. At her current volume, the aggregator is wiser. If she scaled to 20,000,000 FCFA/month, savings jump to 360,000 FCFA/month and payback drops to 5 months: direct wins.
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FAQ
At what volume does direct integration pay off?
Around 15,000,000 FCFA in monthly volume. Below that, the fee savings don't repay the ~1,800,000 FCFA build cost fast enough.
How long to integrate two operators directly?
Budget 4 to 6 weeks for two operators with reliable webhooks, sandbox tests and reconciliation. A single operator takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Does an aggregator handle reconciliation for me?
Yes, that's its main advantage: a consolidated reconciliation instead of 2 to 4 separate flows, easily saving 30 to 60 minutes of accounting work per day.
Can I start with an aggregator then migrate to direct?
That's the recommended play. Launch in 3 days with an aggregator, validate volume, then migrate to direct once past the 15,000,000 FCFA/month threshold.
Is the 1 % direct rate guaranteed?
The 1 % merchant rate is a 2026 ballpark for Wave-style operators; always check your contract grid, which varies by negotiated volume and country.
Let's talk about your project. We'll size your volume together and find the exact threshold where direct integration repays its cost. 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.
