The verdict in three sentences
A referral partner who targets e-commerce and marketplace trades volume for value: fewer deals, but far heavier unit commissions. In 2026, 240,000 FCFA on a store at 2,000,000 FCFA and 500,000 FCFA on a marketplace at 5,000,000 FCFA, plus a 5 % recurring cut on maintenance. The price to pay: a longer sales cycle of 4 to 8 weeks, which solid follow-up keeps on track.
Commission by tier and sales effort
The higher the ticket, the higher the per-deal commission, but the sales effort rises too. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for both large-ticket divisions.
| Division & tier | 2026 ticket | Rate | Sale commission | Sales cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce Starter | 1,000,000 FCFA | 12 % | 120,000 FCFA | 3-5 weeks |
| E-commerce Growth | 2,000,000 FCFA | 12 % | 240,000 FCFA | 4-6 weeks |
| E-commerce Premium | 4,000,000 FCFA | 12 % | 480,000 FCFA | 5-7 weeks |
| Marketplace Starter | 2,500,000 FCFA | 10 % | 250,000 FCFA | 5-7 weeks |
| Marketplace Growth | 5,000,000 FCFA | 10 % | 500,000 FCFA | 6-8 weeks |
| Marketplace Premium | 12,000,000 FCFA | 10 % | 1,200,000 FCFA | 8-12 weeks |
A single Marketplace Growth deal is therefore worth more than 6 showcase sites in commission. Recurring income adds up on top: on e-commerce maintenance at 150,000 FCFA/month, the 5 % pays 7,500 FCFA/month, or 90,000 FCFA over the year per client.
Recurring income that stacks
Large-ticket projects almost always come with higher monthly maintenance, which swells the recurring cut.
| Project | Maintenance / month | Recurring 5 % / month | Recurring over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce Growth | 150,000 FCFA | 7,500 FCFA | 90,000 FCFA |
| E-commerce Premium | 200,000 FCFA | 10,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA |
| Marketplace Growth | 250,000 FCFA | 12,500 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA |
| Marketplace Premium | 400,000 FCFA | 20,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA |
Two active Marketplace Growth clients already mean 25,000 FCFA/month of recurring income, or 300,000 FCFA/year landing with no new sale.
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Mini case study
Aminata, an e-commerce consultant in Abidjan, targets merchants already selling on Instagram. In one quarter she signs one Growth store (240,000 FCFA commission) and one Starter marketplace (250,000 FCFA). Total sale commissions: 490,000 FCFA over 3 months. Both clients take maintenance: 7,500 + 12,500 = 20,000 FCFA/month of recurring income that stacks. Over 12 months, her recurring alone passes 240,000 FCFA, on top of the sale commissions.
FAQ
Why target e-commerce rather than showcase sites? Because a single Growth store pays 240,000 FCFA, the equivalent of more than three showcase sites, while opening a higher recurring cut thanks to maintenance at 150,000 FCFA/month.
Is the sales cycle really longer? Yes, count 4 to 8 weeks versus 1 to 2 for a showcase site. The client compares, approves a budget and sometimes involves a partner: structured follow-up is essential.
Do I need to explain the marketplace payment split? No. You sell the outcome: collecting via Wave and Orange Money with automatic payout to vendors. The Kolonell team handles the split and platform-commission mechanics.
How many deals for serious income? At 2 Growth stores and 1 Starter marketplace per quarter, the 2026 order of magnitude passes 730,000 FCFA in sale commissions, plus cumulative recurring.
Does the rate drop as the ticket rises? Slightly: 12 % on e-commerce, 10 % on marketplace, 8 % on institutional. But the absolute commission climbs sharply because the amounts are far larger.
Become a Kolonell referral partner on large tickets. A single marketplace deal can be worth your quarter. 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.