The verdict in three sentences
For a Kolonell referral partner, the best hourly return comes from vitrines: short cycle of 5 to 15 days, commission of 37,500 to 180,000 FCFA, high volume. Marketplace offers the biggest unit commission (up to 1,200,000 FCFA) but ties you up for 30 to 60 days and demands a solid file. The winning 2026 strategy: 70 % vitrines for steady flow, plus 1 to 2 marketplaces per year as jackpots.
Commission, cycle and effort per pole
Each pole has a different profile. Here are the key figures to know before deciding where to focus.
| Pole | Commission | Sales cycle | Prospecting effort | Realistic volume/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitrine | 37,500 - 180,000 FCFA | 5 - 15 days | Low (2-3 h/deal) | 2 - 4 |
| E-commerce | 120,000 - 480,000 FCFA | 15 - 30 days | Medium (6-8 h/deal) | 0.5 - 1 |
| Marketplace | 250,000 - 1,200,000 FCFA | 30 - 60 days | High (15-20 h/deal) | 0.1 - 0.2 |
| Institutional | 400,000+ FCFA | 60 - 120 days | Very high (30 h+) | rare |
A vitrine sells to an SME owner in a few visits. A marketplace often involves a project sponsor, a business plan and several meetings. Institutional goes through tenders or CEO/CIO relationships.
The hourly return that changes everything
A smart partner looks not only at the commission, but at income per hour invested. Here is the 2026 order-of-magnitude calculation.
| Pole | Average commission | Hours per deal | Hourly return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth vitrine | ~75,000 FCFA | 3 h | ~25,000 FCFA/h |
| Starter vitrine | ~45,000 FCFA | 3 h | ~15,000 FCFA/h |
| E-commerce | ~250,000 FCFA | 7 h | ~35,000 FCFA/h |
| Marketplace | ~600,000 FCFA | 20 h | ~30,000 FCFA/h |
| Institutional | ~600,000 FCFA | 40 h | ~15,000 FCFA/h |
The takeaway: e-commerce and marketplace have excellent hourly returns if the deal closes. But their conversion rate is lower and more random. Vitrines offer predictable income, ideal for building a stable monthly base.
Mini case study
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Ibrahim, a consultant in Abidjan, tests two strategies over a quarter. Strategy A: he concentrates 60 hours on one marketplace file worth 6,000,000 FCFA. If he signs, he earns 10 % = 600,000 FCFA, or 10,000 FCFA/h, but the deal collapses in month 2: zero income. Strategy B: he spends the same 60 hours on 20 prospected vitrines, converts 6 at 28 % = ~5 Growth sales = 375,000 FCFA guaranteed, plus 15,000 FCFA/month recurring. Conclusion: to secure income, vitrine volume beats the marketplace gamble.
FAQ
Which pole should a new partner choose? Vitrines, without hesitation. Short cycle, simple pitch, fast commission (48 h after payment): it is the ideal field to learn and cash in quickly.
Is marketplace worth it? Yes, 1 to 2 times a year. A commission of 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA justifies the effort, but never bet all your time on it.
Can a vitrine client move to e-commerce later? Yes. A merchant who starts with a vitrine often evolves toward an online store: you then earn a new 12 % commission on the upgrade.
Is institutional accessible to an individual partner? Hardly alone. It is better to go through a network of prescribers (consulting firms, advisers) who have access to decision-makers.
Which mix do you recommend? 70 % vitrines, 20 % e-commerce, 10 % large tickets (marketplace/institutional). This mix smooths income while keeping the chance of big jackpots.
Pick your field, Kolonell pays
Whatever the pole, the Kolonell referral program pays a clear commission: 15 % + 5 % recurring on vitrines, 12 % e-commerce, 10 % marketplace, 8 % institutional, paid within 48 hours via Wave/OM. It is up to you to choose the field that fits your network and available time.
Let's talk about your project. Tell us your profile and we will steer you toward the most profitable pole for you. 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.