The verdict in three sentences
A referral partner's real wealth is not the one-off sales commission, it's the recurring commission on maintenance, hosting and SEO. At Kolonell it is 5% per month on maintenance contracts of 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA, i.e. 2,500 to 10,000 FCFA/month per client. Scaled to 20 loyal clients, this annuity reaches 50,000 to 200,000 FCFA per month with no new sale.
Why recurring beats one-off
A starter-site sales commission (15% of 250,000 FCFA = 37,500 FCFA) is nice but one-time. Recurring income stacks: every retained client adds to the last. Compare two partners over 12 months.
| Partner profile | Sales/month | Recurring at month 12 | Year 1 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter (sales only) | 3 starter sites | 0 FCFA | ~1,350,000 FCFA |
| Builder (sales + recurring) | 2 starter sites | ~120,000 FCFA/mo | ~1,620,000 FCFA |
| Builder year 2 (annuity set) | 2 starter sites | ~240,000 FCFA/mo | ~3,000,000 FCFA+ |
From year two the builder doubles the hunter, because the recurring base never melted during year one.
The recurring math, client by client
Kolonell's recurring commission is 5% of the monthly maintenance/hosting/SEO contract. 2026 tiers by client type:
| Client monthly contract | Base | 5% commission/mo | Over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter-site maintenance | 50,000 FCFA | 2,500 FCFA | 30,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance + SME SEO | 100,000 FCFA | 5,000 FCFA | 60,000 FCFA |
| Active e-commerce | 150,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA | 90,000 FCFA |
| Premium / SEO+ contract | 200,000 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA |
| Portfolio of 20 clients | 100,000 FCFA avg | 100,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA |
The lever is retention rate: a client kept 3 years earns 3× the annual line above.
Mini case study
Grace, a referral partner in Mombasa, places 2 sites a month for 10 months. She convinces 15 to take maintenance at 100,000 FCFA/month. Her recurring reaches 15 × 5,000 = 75,000 FCFA/month by month 10, on top of her sales commissions. The next year, without selling a single new site, she keeps 12 clients: that alone guarantees 60,000 FCFA/month. Every new sale simply adds to this base.
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FAQ
How much does Kolonell's recurring commission pay?
5% of the monthly maintenance contract, i.e. 2,500 to 10,000 FCFA per month per client depending on the plan (50,000 to 200,000 FCFA/month).
How long is the recurring paid?
As long as the client keeps an active maintenance contract. That is why delivered service quality is decisive: a happy client stays for years.
How many clients to live off recurring?
With 20 clients at 100,000 FCFA/month maintenance, the annuity reaches about 100,000 FCFA/month. It is passive income on top of sales commissions.
Does recurring stack with the sales commission?
Yes. On a starter site the partner earns 15% on the sale PLUS 5% recurring on maintenance. The two are independent.
How do I maximise retention?
By placing well-qualified clients with a real maintenance need (e-commerce, content-heavy sites) and letting Kolonell deliver reliable support.
Let's talk about your project. You want to turn your referrals into a recurring monthly annuity. 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.
