The verdict in three sentences
Many partners rush to showcase sites because the headline rate is higher (15%), but the rate doesn't make the income — the ticket does. An e-commerce project at 12% generates 120,000 to 720,000 FCFA in commission, versus 37,500 to 180,000 FCFA for a showcase site. In Lagos in 2026, 1 to 2 e-commerce deals a month earn more than ten showcase sites chased through hard grind.
Ticket size beats the rate
The rule is counterintuitive: a lower rate on a bigger ticket almost always wins. Here is what each e-commerce tier really pays at 12%.
| E-commerce tier | 2026 ticket (FCFA) | 12% commission (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1,000,000 | 120,000 |
| High Starter | 1,500,000 | 180,000 |
| Growth | 2,000,000 | 240,000 |
| High Growth | 3,000,000 | 360,000 |
| Premium | 4,000,000 | 480,000 |
| High Premium | 6,000,000 | 720,000 |
A single Growth sale (240,000 FCFA) roughly equals 6 Starter showcase sites brought in. The prospecting time, however, is not 6 times longer.
Sales cycle and buyer profile
E-commerce sells to merchants who want to collect payments via Wave and Orange Money. The cycle is longer than a showcase site but short compared with institutional deals.
| Stage | Typical 2026 duration | What the partner does |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Day 0 | Presents the qualified merchant |
| Demo + quote | 3-7 days | Kolonell prices, partner follows up |
| Decision | 1-3 weeks | Handle payment/stock objection |
| Deposit received | Week 3-4 | First commission share paid |
| Delivery + balance | Week 6-10 | Commission balance paid |
Ideal profile: a physical shop losing sales for lack of an online channel, a creator with an Instagram audience, a wholesaler wanting to digitize orders.
Handling common objections
"It's too expensive" is answered with the return math: an average basket of 25,000 FCFA, 4 online sales a day, is 3,000,000 FCFA/month of potential revenue — the site pays for itself in weeks. "I already sell on WhatsApp" is answered with integrated Wave/OM payment, a structured catalog, and order tracking that save hours.
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Mini case study
Ibrahim, a partner in Lagos, focuses on e-commerce. In one month he closes 1 Growth (2,000,000 FCFA) and 1 Starter (1,200,000 FCFA).
- Growth: 2,000,000 × 12% = 240,000 FCFA
- Starter: 1,200,000 × 12% = 144,000 FCFA
- Month total: 384,000 FCFA with only 2 deals
To match that in Starter showcase sites (37,500 FCFA each), he would have needed over 10 clients. Two well-targeted conversations were enough.
FAQ
Why 12% and not 15% like the showcase site? Because the ticket is 4 to 10 times bigger. 12% of 2,000,000 FCFA (240,000 FCFA) far exceeds 15% of 500,000 FCFA (75,000 FCFA). The absolute amount is what counts.
How many e-commerce deals a month is realistic? For an active partner with a strong merchant network, 1 to 2 a month is achievable, i.e. 130,000 to 700,000 FCFA monthly depending on tier.
Who handles the technical Wave/OM payment side? Kolonell integrates and tests the Wave and Orange Money webhooks. The partner writes no code: they simply reassure the merchant that local payments are native.
Is there recurring income on e-commerce? Yes, via add-ons: maintenance, product SEO, campaigns. These monthly services can qualify for recurring commissions per contract.
Doesn't the longer cycle strain cash flow? A first commission share lands on the deposit (often 30-50%), not only on delivery. You don't wait until the project ends to get paid.
Let's talk about your project. Steer your merchants toward Kolonell e-commerce and earn 12% on tickets of 1 to 6 million FCFA. 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.
