The verdict in three sentences
An aggregator (Paystack, Flutterwave) saves you time but charges 1.4 to 3.8%; a direct MoMo integration drops to 1.0-1.5% but costs 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA in development. The choice is purely a volume question: above a monthly threshold, the saved margin amortizes the direct integration in 6 to 18 months. Below is the break-even math for Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
Real fees per option
Headline rates hide caps, payout fees and international surcharges. Here is the comparison in 2026 ballpark figures.
| Option | Transaction fee | Cap | Settlement | Integration effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paystack (local) | ~1.5% | ~2,000 NGN | T+1 | Low |
| Flutterwave (local) | 1.4-3.8% | Variable | T+1 | Low |
| Direct MoMo (MTN) | 1.0-1.5% | None | T+1 to T+2 | High |
| International card | 3.8% + 1% FX | — | T+1 | Medium |
The classic trap: plug in an aggregator "because it's fast", then discover at 50,000,000 FCFA/month that one point of fees is 500,000 FCFA/month you could have kept.
Computing your break-even
Direct integration only makes sense from a volume where the saved fee margin exceeds the amortized development cost. Compare the fee gap (aggregator − direct ≈ 0.5 to 1 point) to dev cost.
| Monthly volume | Fee gap (0.7 pt) saved/month | Amortization of a 1,500,000 FCFA integration |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000,000 FCFA | 70,000 FCFA | ~21 months |
| 25,000,000 FCFA | 175,000 FCFA | ~9 months |
| 50,000,000 FCFA | 350,000 FCFA | ~4 months |
| 100,000,000 FCFA | 700,000 FCFA | ~2 months |
Reading: below 25,000,000 FCFA/month, the aggregator stays the right call (flexibility, zero maintenance). Above 50,000,000 FCFA/month, direct integration amortizes in a quarter and becomes a lasting margin advantage.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Do you advise merchants on their payment stack? Turn that network into income. The Kolonell referral partner program pays you on every project you bring us, with a recurring cut on maintenance.
| Segment | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
Example: an e-commerce project at 2,000,000 FCFA earns you 240,000 FCFA in commission. Three projects a quarter and you build a meaningful referral income without handling production.
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Mini case study
Mamadou runs a fashion marketplace in Lagos: 60,000,000 FCFA/month in volume via Flutterwave at 2.2%, i.e. 1,320,000 FCFA/month in fees. A direct MoMo integration at 1.3% would cut fees to 780,000 FCFA/month — a saving of 540,000 FCFA/month.
The direct build is quoted at 2,000,000 FCFA. Break-even: ≈3.7 months. After a year, Mamadou will have saved ≈6,480,000 FCFA in net fees. He keeps the aggregator for international cards (a minority of volume) and switches mobile money to direct.
FAQ
Paystack or Flutterwave to start?
Paystack is often more predictable on local (~1.5%, ~2,000 NGN cap), Flutterwave covers more countries and rails but with a wider range (1.4-3.8%). For a multi-country launch, Flutterwave; for pure local, Paystack.
When should I go direct?
When your monthly volume exceeds 50,000,000 FCFA: the 0.5 to 1 point gap then amortizes an 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA integration in 2 to 4 months. Below that, stay on the aggregator.
Are international fees really pricier?
Yes: expect 3.8% + 1% FX on international cards, versus 1.0-1.5% on local mobile money. Hence the value of routing each payment to the cheapest rail based on customer origin.
How do I become a referral partner?
Contact us: you introduce a client, we deliver, and you earn 8 to 15% depending on the segment, plus 5% recurring on showcase sites. No commitment, paid on signature.
Let's talk about your project. We compute your payment break-even and integrate the most profitable rail — or bring you on board as a referral partner. 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.