The verdict in three sentences
The headline commission rate is a trap: it ignores the fixed fees, payout fees, currency conversion and reconciliation that make up the total cost of acceptance. On 5,000 monthly transactions at a 45 EUR basket, the gap between a poorly and a well chosen PSP reaches 4,200,000 to 7,800,000 FCFA per year. Above roughly 200,000 EUR of monthly volume, switching to an interchange++ model becomes profitable and cuts the unit cost.
Breaking down the total cost of acceptance
A 2.5 % rate is not comparable to another 2.5 % if the ancillary fees differ. Here are the 2026 components.
| Component | 2026 range | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Card commission | 1.8-3.4 % | primary |
| Fixed fee/transaction | 0.20-0.30 EUR | high on small basket |
| Payout/withdrawal fee | 0.5-1.5 % | often forgotten |
| Currency conversion | 1-2 % | if multi-currency |
| Reconciliation cost | internal time | hidden |
On a small basket, the fixed fee weighs more than the percentage: at a 15 EUR basket, 0.30 EUR is already 2 points. So the CFO should reason in average cost per transaction, not headline rate.
Simulation over 5,000 transactions/month
Let us compare two providers on identical volume, 45 EUR basket, 5,000 monthly transactions, i.e. 225,000 EUR/month.
| Item | PSP A (2.9 %) | PSP B (1.8 %) |
|---|---|---|
| Commission % | 6,525 EUR/month | 4,050 EUR/month |
| Fixed fees | 1,500 EUR/month | 1,250 EUR/month |
| Payout (1 %) | 2,250 EUR/month | 1,125 EUR/month |
| Monthly total | 10,275 EUR | 6,425 EUR |
| Annual gap | — | ~46,200 EUR |
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This annual gap justifies a serious audit before signing. The interchange++ break-even sits around 200,000 EUR of monthly volume.
Mini case study
Mr. Tan, CFO of a distribution SME in Singapore, processes 5,000 transactions per month at a 45 EUR basket. His legacy PSP costs him the equivalent of 10,275 EUR per month all-in. By renegotiating to a provider at 1.8 % with optimized payout, he drops to 6,425 EUR per month, i.e. 3,850 EUR of monthly saving and nearly 46,000 EUR per year. The audit and migration, quoted at 3,000,000 FCFA, are amortized in under two months.
FAQ
Why not trust the headline rate? Because it excludes fixed, payout and conversion fees that can double the real cost on a small basket. You must reason in total cost per transaction.
Which item is most underestimated? Payout fees, 0.5 to 1.5 % of the withdrawn amount, often invisible in the pricing grid but very real on the monthly statement.
When should you move to interchange++? Around 200,000 EUR of monthly volume. Below that, the all-in model stays simpler and often cheaper.
How much does an acceptance audit cost? Around 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA for a full audit with multi-PSP simulation and recommendation. It pays off in a few weeks once a 0.5-point gap is found.
Let's scope your project. Send us your PSP statement and monthly volume, and we'll compute your total cost of acceptance and the reachable saving. 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.
