The verdict in three sentences
Many beginner partners chase the highest rate, but that's flawed reasoning: 15 % of a small ticket pays less than 8 % of a big one. What matters is the rate x average ticket product, weighted by sales cycle and the volume you can realistically achieve. In 2026 with Kolonell, a single institutional deal at 800,000 FCFA weighs as much as more than ten showcases — but it's far rarer and slower to sign.
The rate x ticket comparison by vertical
Here is the real earnings per deal, rate applied to the 2026 average ticket. This is the table every partner should keep in mind before choosing a target.
| Vertical | Rate | Average ticket | Earnings per deal | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 15 % | 500,000 FCFA | 75,000 FCFA | + 5 % maintenance |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 2,000,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA | — |
| Marketplace | 10 % | 5,000,000 FCFA | 500,000 FCFA | — |
| Institutional | 8 % | 10,000,000 FCFA | 800,000 FCFA | — |
The ranking by earnings is exactly the reverse of the ranking by rate. The lowest rate (8 %) gives the highest earnings per deal, because the ticket is twenty times a showcase's.
The real trade-off: cycle and volume
Big earnings per deal don't mean big monthly income. An institutional deal signs in 2 to 6 months with a complex cycle; a showcase closes in one to two weeks. So you must weight by the realistic volume you can sustain.
| Vertical | Sales cycle | Realistic volume/month | Estimated monthly income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 deals | 150,000 - 300,000 FCFA |
| E-commerce | 3-6 weeks | 1-2 deals | 240,000 - 480,000 FCFA |
| Marketplace | 1-3 months | 0.3-1 deal | 150,000 - 500,000 FCFA |
| Institutional | 2-6 months | 0.2-0.5 deal | 160,000 - 400,000 FCFA |
The winning strategy for a solo partner is often a mix: showcases for steady cash-flow and recurring, plus one or two e-commerce or marketplace leads deep in the pipeline for big income spikes.
Mini case study
Aminata wants to reach 500,000 FCFA/month in commissions. She has two strategies. Strategy A: all showcases, needing about 7 sales a month (7 x 75,000 = 525,000 FCFA), an intense pace but with recurring that accumulates.
Strategy B: a mix of 3 showcases (225,000 FCFA) and 1 e-commerce (240,000 FCFA), or 465,000 FCFA with just 4 deals — far more sustainable. Adding her showcase recurring month after month, she exceeds her target by the second month without increasing her prospecting load.
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FAQ
Which vertical pays the most per deal?
Institutional, with 800,000 FCFA per project at 8 %, ahead of marketplace (500,000 FCFA) and e-commerce (240,000 FCFA). Showcase is the smallest per deal but the fastest to sign.
Is the highest rate the most profitable?
No. Showcase has the highest rate (15 %) but the smallest earnings per deal. In absolute terms, the ticket dominates, not the percentage.
Which vertical should a beginner target?
Showcase, because the sales cycle is short (1-2 weeks) and the demo easy to show. It generates fast cash-flow and recurring while you build skills on bigger tickets.
Can you combine several verticals?
Yes, and it's recommended. A showcase + e-commerce mix smooths income: showcases pay every month, big deals bring spikes.
Does recurring exist on all verticals?
No, only the showcase vertical offers 5 % recurring on maintenance. It's an underrated advantage: it builds passive income that grows with each new client.
Let's talk about your project. We'll help you build the most profitable vertical mix for your network and your time. 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.
