The verdict in three sentences
The Wave payout API lets you send dozens or hundreds of disbursements in a single batch call, with recipient credit in under 60 seconds. Where a bank transfer costs 500 to 1,500 FCFA per line and takes 24 to 72 h, Wave credits instantly against a floating-balance provision. For payroll or recurring supplier payouts, the time and cash-flow gain is immediate.
Batch payout: how it works
The principle is simple: you prepare a CSV file (Wave number, amount, reference), send it to the API, and Wave debits your floating balance to credit each recipient. You must therefore fund that balance in advance — the main constraint.
| Item | 2026 detail (ballpark) |
|---|---|
| Input format | CSV: phone, amount, reference |
| Batch size | Dozens to hundreds of lines/call |
| Credit delay | < 60 seconds per recipient |
| Required funding | Floating balance ≥ batch total |
| Cost per transfer | Small fixed fee or %, per contract |
| Confirmation | Per-line status webhook |
Each line returns an individual status via webhook: success, failure (invalid number, non-existent account) or pending. You replay only the failed lines — not the whole batch.
Wave payout vs bank transfer vs Orange Money bulk
| Criterion | Wave Payout | Bank transfer | Orange Money bulk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per line | Low (contract) | 500–1,500 FCFA | Variable |
| Credit delay | < 60 s | 24–72 h | Minutes to hours |
| Volume per run | Batch API | File or single | Batch |
| Recipient receives | Wave balance | Bank account | OM balance |
| Prefunding | Yes (floating) | Depends on bank | Yes |
On a batch of 50 employees at 150,000 FCFA net, i.e. 7,500,000 FCFA to distribute, a bank transfer at 1,000 FCFA/line would cost 50,000 FCFA in fees and freeze payroll for 1 to 3 days. Wave credits all 50 accounts in under two minutes, at a far lower cost.
Mini case study
Fatou runs a cleaning SME in Dakar with 50 employees paid 150,000 FCFA net each, i.e. 7,500,000 FCFA per month. At the bank, she spends 2 hours preparing transfers, pays 50,000 FCFA in fees, and her staff receive pay 2 to 3 days later. With Wave batch payout, she uploads a CSV, funds her floating balance, and the 50 salaries are credited in under 2 minutes — her staff see the money on payday, sharply cutting complaints.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Do you know SMEs still wrestling with manual transfers or stacks of cash on payday? By pointing them to Kolonell, you earn a commission on every signed project — without building anything yourself.
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| Project type | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
On a 2,000,000 FCFA e-commerce project, your referral commission reaches 240,000 FCFA. All it takes is one qualified introduction.
FAQ
Must I fund the whole batch in advance?
Yes. Your Wave floating balance must cover the batch total before sending, e.g. 7,500,000 FCFA for 50 salaries of 150,000 FCFA. That is the main cash-flow constraint.
What happens if a number is invalid?
That line fails and is flagged via webhook, without blocking the rest of the batch. You fix and replay only that line.
Is the credit really instant?
As a 2026 ballpark, each recipient is credited in under 60 seconds, versus 24 to 72 h for a classic bank transfer.
Can I automate monthly payroll?
Yes. We can wire your payroll software to the payout API to generate and send the batch in one click each month-end, with a status log.
Let's talk about your project. We automate your supplier and payroll payouts via the Wave API. 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.
