The verdict in three sentences
Choosing a payment gateway is not about the headline rate, but about the total cost relative to your average basket and your settlement delays. In 2026, budget 2.5 to 3.2% card commission, FCFA 500 to 1,500 per transfer and FCFA 2,000,000 to 6,000,000 for technical integration. For online revenue of FCFA 50,000,000 a year, the gap between two PSPs can reach several hundred thousand FCFA.
Understanding the fee structure
A gateway rarely bills a single line. You must add variable commission, fixed per-transaction fees, integration cost and settlement delay (which ties up cash).
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Card commission | 2.5% - 3.2% of amount |
| Fixed fee per transaction | FCFA 100 - 300 |
| Bank transfer | FCFA 500 - 1,500 / transaction |
| Technical integration | FCFA 2,000,000 - 6,000,000 |
| Settlement delay | T+2 to T+7 |
| Refund fee | FCFA 0 - 500 / operation |
Total cost by volume
For online revenue of FCFA 50,000,000 a year, the bill varies mostly with the card rate and the number of transactions.
| Scenario | Average basket | Transactions/year | Estimated annual cost (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Many small baskets | 25,000 | 2,000 | 1,700,000 - 2,100,000 |
| Medium basket | 100,000 | 500 | 1,350,000 - 1,700,000 |
| Large B2B baskets | 500,000 | 100 | 1,280,000 - 1,620,000 |
| Mix 40% transfer | 100,000 | 500 | 1,000,000 - 1,350,000 |
In B2B, steering large amounts toward transfer rather than card noticeably reduces the variable commission.
PSP selection grid
| Profile | Priority | Recommended PSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basket < FCFA 50,000 | Low fixed fee | Pure %-commission PSP |
| Basket > FCFA 200,000 | Integrated transfer | Multi-method PSP |
| International | Multi-currency | PSP with international cards |
| Fast settlement | Tight cash | T+2 PSP |
| High default rate | Dispute handling | PSP with refund module |
Mini case study
Sarah, CFO of a wholesaler in London, does FCFA 50,000,000 online with a FCFA 100,000 average basket, i.e. 500 transactions/year. At 100% card and 3%, she pays FCFA 1,500,000 + FCFA 150,000 fixed fees = FCFA 1,650,000/year. Shifting 40% of volume to transfer (FCFA 1,000/transaction) drops the bill to ~FCFA 1,200,000/year, i.e. FCFA 450,000 saved. The FCFA 3,500,000 integration pays back much faster once you factor in fewer defaults and reconciliation automation.
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FAQ
Is the lowest commission rate always the best?
No. A low rate paired with high fixed fees costs more on small baskets. Simulate total cost against your real volume and average basket.
How much is technical integration?
Between FCFA 2,000,000 and 6,000,000 in 2026 depending on complexity (simple payment, tokenization, recurring payment, automatic reconciliation).
What settlement delay should I target?
T+2 is ideal for cash flow; T+7 ties up more funds. For FCFA 50,000,000 revenue, each day of delay ties up about FCFA 137,000 on average.
How do I handle defaults and refunds?
Choose a PSP with a refund module and dispute handling. Refund fees range from FCFA 0 to 500 per operation depending on the provider.
Can we combine multiple gateways?
Yes, and it is recommended: an international card gateway plus a local transfer solution optimizes cost by order type.
Let's scope your project. Share your online revenue, average basket and card/transfer mix for a total-cost simulation and an integration quote between FCFA 2,000,000 and 6,000,000. 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.
