The verdict in three sentences
A printed QR code collects mobile-money payments without a POS terminal, which costs around 80,000 FCFA plus fees. The customer scans, enters the amount or reads it depending on the QR type, confirms with a PIN, and the merchant gets an SMS confirmation. The result: the queue drops from about 90 seconds to 25 seconds per customer.
Static or dynamic QR: the right choice
A static QR is a fixed image stuck on the stall: the customer types the amount. A dynamic QR is generated per sale with the amount already embedded: faster and fewer errors, but it needs a small screen or app on the merchant side. In a Kumasi market, a static MTN QR is enough in most cases and costs 0 FCFA in hardware.
| Criterion | Static QR | Dynamic QR |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware cost | 0 FCFA (printing) | Screen/app required |
| Amount entry | By the customer | Pre-filled |
| Amount-error risk | Medium | Low |
| Per-transaction fee | ~1% | ~1% |
| Reconciliation | By reference | By auto reference |
| Best for | Small stall | Shop with a till |
Comparing QR to a classic POS
A POS is still useful for bank cards, but for mobile money it is often oversized and costly. A QR has no battery to charge, does not break down, and reprints for a few francs.
| Item | Merchant QR | Classic POS |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition cost | 0–2,000 FCFA | ~80,000 FCFA |
| Monthly fees | 0 FCFA | 5,000–15,000 FCFA |
| Settlement to merchant | T+1 to account/till | T+1 to T+3 |
| Hardware failure | None | Possible |
| Customer receipt | Automatic SMS | Paper ticket |
| Time per customer | ~25s | ~40s |
The main risk is a fake QR sticker placed by a fraudster over the real one. The defense: show the merchant name on screen before confirming, check every morning that the QR points to your own account, and laminate the official QR.
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Mini case study
Kwame sells fabrics in a Kumasi market. With cash, he lost time making change: about 90 seconds per customer and till errors. He sticks up a free static MTN QR. The queue drops to 25 seconds per customer. Over a 120-customer day, he saves roughly 130 minutes, enough to serve 30 more customers. At an average basket of 4,500 FCFA, that is 135,000 FCFA in potential sales recovered on each busy day.
FAQ
Does a static QR cost the merchant anything? No, apart from printing, so 0 to 2,000 FCFA. There are no monthly fees, unlike a POS billed at 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per month.
When does the merchant get the money? In Kumasi as in Lomé, settlement usually lands T+1 to the account or mobile-money till, with an SMS confirmation as soon as the payment is validated.
How do you avoid fake QR stickers placed by a fraudster? Show the merchant name on screen before confirming, laminate the official QR, and check every morning that it points to your account. An attentive customer will spot a name that does not match.
Static or dynamic QR for a small stall? Static is enough: zero hardware cost and the customer enters the amount. A dynamic QR with a pre-filled amount is worth it once you have a till and high volume.
Can sales be reconciled in the evening? Yes, each payment carries a reference. Reconciling by reference lets you match the SMS received with the total collected and spot any discrepancy.
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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.
