The verdict in three sentences
A partner who thinks only about the sale commission leaves the best on the table: recurring revenue is what builds passive income year after year. On the brochure and e-commerce divisions, the 5 % recurring share on maintenance, SEO and hosting stacks up with every new client at no extra effort. A well-tended portfolio generates growing MRR with low churn as long as the service holds.
The three sources of recurring revenue
After go-live, a client has durable monthly needs: maintenance, SEO, hosting. Each carries a recurring commission for the partner.
| Recurring type | Monthly ticket 2026 | Partner commission (5 %) |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 50,000 – 200,000 FCFA | 2,500 – 10,000 FCFA |
| SEO | 75,000 – 300,000 FCFA | 3,750 – 15,000 FCFA |
| Managed hosting | 25,000 – 75,000 FCFA | 1,250 – 3,750 FCFA |
A single client taking maintenance + SEO at 250,000 FCFA/month earns the partner 12,500 FCFA/month — indefinitely, as long as the contract runs.
The portfolio effect: from sale to passive income
The magic works through accumulation. Each added client stacks its recurring share on the previous one, without the partner redoing the sales work.
| Portfolio size | Avg recurring/client/month | Commission 5 %/month | Annual passive income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 clients | 100,000 FCFA | 25,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA |
| 10 clients | 100,000 FCFA | 50,000 FCFA | 600,000 FCFA |
| 20 clients | 100,000 FCFA | 100,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA |
| 40 clients | 100,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | 2,400,000 FCFA |
Beyond 20 clients, recurring revenue alone often exceeds what one-off sale commissions bring — that's where the partner becomes an annuitant.
Why recurring beats one-off
A 15 % brochure sale commission on 500,000 FCFA pays 75,000 FCFA once. The 5 % recurring on 100,000 FCFA/month of services pays 5,000 FCFA/month — 60,000 FCFA in year one, but 60,000 FCFA again in year two, year three, as long as the client stays. Over 3 years, a single client's recurring (180,000 FCFA) already far exceeds the one-time commission.
The Kolonell referral program
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Kolonell pays partners both the sale commission AND the recurring share on the relevant divisions:
| Division | Commission on sale | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure site | 15 % | 5 % on maintenance/SEO |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | — |
| Institutional | 8 % | — |
The partner earns the recurring share as long as the client pays for monthly services — income that works for you every month.
Mini case study
Blessing, a community manager in Lagos, refers 2 clients a month to a web agency. In 10 months she has a 20-client portfolio, 15 of whom subscribe to maintenance + SEO at 120,000 FCFA/month on average. Her 5 % recurring: 15 × 6,000 = 90,000 FCFA/month of passive income, on top of her sale commissions. By the end of year 1, this recurring flow alone earns her over 1,000,000 FCFA annualised — without a single extra sale. Her churn stays under 10 % because the agency holds the service, and clients pay via Paystack and MTN MoMo.
FAQ
How much does recurring pay on a single client? Depending on subscribed services, 3,750 to 25,000 FCFA/month for the partner (5 % of 75,000 to 500,000 FCFA of services). Modest alone, but it stacks across the whole portfolio.
Does recurring ever stop? It runs as long as the client pays for monthly services. With low churn (often under 10 %/year when the service holds), it's very stable income.
Better to chase sales volume or recurring? Both complement each other: the sale funds the present, recurring builds the future. From 20 clients on, recurring becomes the most valuable share.
How many clients to live off recurring? At 100,000 FCFA/month recurring (a 20-client portfolio at 5 %), you already cover a solid side income. At 40 clients, you reach 200,000 FCFA/month passive.
Does recurring require work each month? No: once the client is delivered and the service is in place, the partner does nothing more. That's the very definition of passive income.
Let's talk about your project. Join the Kolonell referral program and build a recurring portfolio that grows every month. 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.
