The verdict in three sentences
Commission (take rate) is the price a vendor pays to reach your audience and payment rails. In 2026 it is computed cart by cart, before or after fees, and must account for shipping, promo codes and volume discounts. Too high and vendors leave; too low and it fails to cover your collection and payout costs.
Fixed, percentage, hybrid: which model?
Three commission structures, each with its use case.
| Model | Formula | Best for | Example on 10,000 FCFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure percentage | price × rate | Uniform baskets | 15% = 1,500 FCFA |
| Fixed per transaction | fixed amount | Small baskets | 500 FCFA |
| Hybrid | fixed + % | Mixed baskets | 200 + 12% = 1,400 FCFA |
| Volume-tiered | rate drops with volume | Retaining big vendors | 15% → 10% |
Hybrid protects margin on small baskets (the fixed part covers fees) while staying competitive on large ones.
Typical rates by sector (2026 ballpark)
The right take rate depends on the vendor's sector margin.
| Sector | Typical take rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion / apparel | 12-20% | High margins, marketplace standard |
| Groceries / food | 8-15% | Low margins, high volume |
| Electronics | 5-10% | Thin margins, big baskets |
| Crafts / handmade | 10-18% | Storytelling, perceived value |
| Services / freelancers | 10-20% | Local Fiverr type |
| Real estate (lead-gen) | flat fee or 1-3% | Very high tickets |
Who pays what: fees, shipping, promos
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The exact calc must settle three questions. Payment fees (~1-1.5%): usually absorbed by the platform commission. Shipping: generally outside commission — the vendor or courier keeps it fully. Promo codes: decide whether they reduce the commission base or are funded by the platform. Example: on a 10,000 FCFA basket with a platform-funded -1,000 FCFA code, the 15% commission is still on 10,000 (1,500 FCFA), but the platform absorbs the 1,000 FCFA discount.
Mini case study
Aminata launches "SamaShop," a general marketplace in Dakar. A typical multi-vendor cart: Vendor A (fashion) 15,000 FCFA at 15%, Vendor B (electronics) 40,000 FCFA at 8%, Vendor C (groceries) 6,000 FCFA at 12%. Commissions: A = 2,250, B = 3,200, C = 720, total 6,170 FCFA on a 61,000 FCFA cart, i.e. an effective take rate of 10.1%. After collection fees (~1% = 610 FCFA) and payout (~150 FCFA), her net margin on this cart is 5,410 FCFA.
FAQ
Should you commission shipping? Usually no. Shipping pays the vendor or courier, and including it inflates your perceived take rate, annoying vendors. Commission the product value.
How do you handle promo codes in the calc? Decide who funds the discount. If the platform funds it, commission stays on the full price; if the vendor funds it, the commission base drops accordingly. Put it in writing in the vendor terms.
Is a tiered rate worth it? Yes, to retain big vendors: e.g. 15% up to 2,000,000 FCFA sales/month, then 10% beyond. It rewards volume without breaking margin on small vendors.
What take rate stays profitable? It must at least cover your collection fees (~1.5%) plus operating costs. In practice, a floor of 8-10% is needed for a healthy 2026 model.
Fixed or percentage for small baskets? A fixed (or hybrid) prevents a 12% commission on 2,000 FCFA (240 FCFA) from failing to cover your ~150 FCFA of fees. A "200 FCFA + 10%" hybrid secures margin.
Let's talk about your project. We model your commission grid by sector and implement it in your split engine. 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.
