The verdict in three sentences
The 5 % recurring cut on maintenance is the silent engine of partner income: it turns a one-off sale into a monthly flow. Each client on maintenance at 100,000 FCFA/month pays you 5,000 FCFA passively, month after month, with no extra effort. At 20 loyal clients, that's 100,000 FCFA/month landing even in the months you sell nothing.
The snowball effect of recurring income
Unlike the one-off sale commission, the recurring cut stacks. Each new client adds a permanent brick to your base income.
| Cumulative clients | Recurring/client | Monthly passive income | Annual passive income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5,000 | 25,000 | 300,000 |
| 10 | 5,000 | 50,000 | 600,000 |
| 20 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 30 | 5,000 | 150,000 | 1,800,000 |
| 50 | 5,000 | 250,000 | 3,000,000 |
These figures assume average maintenance of 100,000 FCFA/month; on e-commerce or institutional sites, maintenance climbs to 150,000–200,000 FCFA/month, so 7,500–10,000 FCFA recurring per client (2026 order of magnitude).
Retention: what makes recurring income last
Passive income only counts if clients stay. Maintenance has excellent retention because an active site needs ongoing care.
| Retention factor | Effect | Estimated retention |
|---|---|---|
| Simple brochure site | Light updates | 80–90 % |
| Active e-commerce | Catalog, payments, stock | 90–95 % |
| Institutional | SLA, security, compliance | 95 %+ |
| Poorly supported client | Risk of churn | 60–70 % |
The better the agency supports the client, the more stable your recurring income — a perfectly aligned interest.
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Mini case study
Moussa, a partner in Dakar, has signed 24 brochure-site clients over two years, all on maintenance at 100,000 FCFA/month. He barely prospects anymore. With an 85 % retention rate, he keeps about 20 active clients → 100,000 FCFA/month of passive income, i.e. 1.2 million FCFA per year landing while he focuses on other things. His portfolio has become an asset.
FAQ
Is the recurring income really passive? Once the client is delivered and supported by the agency, you do nothing: the commission lands automatically each month maintenance is paid, via Wave or Orange Money.
What happens if a client cancels maintenance? You stop earning the 5 % for that client only. The rest of the portfolio continues. Hence the value of client volume to smooth out attrition.
How many clients for a passive salary? About 20 clients at 100,000 FCFA maintenance give 100,000 FCFA/month. With e-commerce tickets, 12–15 clients reach the same amount.
Does recurring stack with the sale commission? Yes, fully. You first earn the 15 % on the sale, then the 5 % recurring as long as the client pays maintenance. The two are independent.
When is the recurring paid? Every month the client pays maintenance, within a few days of collection, to your mobile money account.
Let's talk about your project. Let's build your passive-income portfolio together. 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.
