The verdict in three sentences
The BRELA one-stop process registers a business online in a few days and delivers the TIN required to invoice legally and wire up a marketplace split. Choose the micro-business to test fast and light, the company (Ltd) as soon as you hire, take partners or cross the VAT threshold. The real 2026 challenge is not registering: it is anticipating your tax and accounting obligations so you are not blocked when you scale.
Why the one-stop shop speeds up digital
BRELA groups the steps (registry, tax, social security) into one point. The result: you leave with the identifiers that unlock the business bank account, the merchant account and invoicing.
| What formalization unlocks | Concrete effect |
|---|---|
| TIN / tax number | Invoice legally, file VAT |
| Business bank account | Collect, receive B2B transfers |
| Mobile money merchant account | Reduced fees, API |
| Marketplace split | Automatically pay out sellers |
| Public tender eligibility | Bid on contracts |
Without a TIN, a marketplace can neither invoice its commission nor pay out sellers cleanly: formalization is a technical prerequisite, not just a legal one.
BRELA vs CEPICI: 2026 orders of magnitude
Indicative comparison (estimate, 2026 order of magnitude) between the Tanzanian registry and its Ivorian equivalent.
| Criterion | BRELA (Tanzania) | CEPICI (Côte d'Ivoire) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration time | 2-5 days online | 24-48 h |
| Micro-business cost | low, online | ~15,000 FCFA |
| Company cost | variable | 25,000-40,000 FCFA |
| Tax ID | TIN | NINEA / DFE |
| Tax number delay | a few days | 3-5 days |
| Accounting framework | IFRS for SMEs | SYSCOHADA |
The delay to get the tax number is often the real bottleneck: anticipate it before promising a launch date to your clients or partners.
Micro-business or company: the right 2026 choice
A micro-business is simple and tax-light below a certain revenue threshold. Above it, VAT applies and full accounting becomes necessary. A company protects your assets and eases partnerships. Rule: below the threshold and solo, micro-business; rapid growth, partners or marketplace, company.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
By helping other entrepreneurs formalize, you meet founders who need a site or a platform. The Kolonell referral program turns these introductions into income.
| Track | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | + 5% maintenance |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Concrete example: an entrepreneur you steer signs a Growth marketplace at 5,000,000 FCFA. Your referral commission: 500,000 FCFA. No code to write — you introduce, Kolonell delivers.
Mini case study
Ibrahim, who runs a consulting firm in Dar es Salaam, registers an Ltd via BRELA in a few days. He obtains his TIN, opens a pro account and launches a small local services marketplace. With formal status he activates the split: on 100 orders/month at the equivalent of 10,000 FCFA, he takes a 15% commission, i.e. 150,000 FCFA/month paid out cleanly and invoiced legally. In parallel, he refers three peers to Kolonell for showcase sites: 3 × 75,000 = 225,000 FCFA in referral commission.
FAQ
How long does BRELA registration take in 2026?
Expect a few days for incorporation, then extra days for the tax number (TIN). Anticipate this delay before any launch.
Do I need a TIN for a marketplace split?
Yes. To invoice your commission and pay out sellers legally, you need formal status and a tax number. Without it, no aggregator configures a clean split.
When does VAT apply?
Above a revenue threshold (which varies by regime). Below the threshold, the micro-business stays light; above it, plan for filings and full accounting.
Micro-business or company for a platform?
For a marketplace or a multi-founder project, a company (Ltd) is the way: it protects your assets and frames payouts. A micro-business suits a solo test below the threshold.
How do I earn by recommending Kolonell?
Via the referral program: 15% showcase (+5% recurring), 12% e-commerce, 10% marketplace, 8% institutional. A marketplace at 5,000,000 FCFA earns you 500,000 FCFA.
Let's talk about your project. We guide you from registration to marketplace split, and pay you if you introduce clients. 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.
