The verdict in three sentences
Donation collection in Senegal is still largely cash-based, opaque and concentrated on a few days. A mobile money collection page calculates zakat at 2.5 % of wealth, collects via Wave or Orange Money, issues an automatic receipt and shows a public counter that reassures donors. With reminders and recurring monthly giving, a mosque or NGO captures the Ramadan and Tabaski peaks it used to miss.
Zakat, one-off and recurring donations: the orders of magnitude
Zakat is due at 2.5 % of wealth saved over a year. On eligible wealth of 4,000,000 FCFA, that is 100,000 FCFA. One-off donations average 1,000 to 10,000 FCFA during Ramadan.
| Donation type | Average amount | Frequency | Collection fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zakat (2.5 % of wealth) | 50,000 - 150,000 FCFA | Annual | ~1 % |
| One-off Ramadan gift | 1,000 - 10,000 FCFA | 30-day peak | ~1 % |
| Weekly sadaqa | 500 - 2,000 FCFA | Weekly | ~1 % |
| Recurring monthly gift | 2,000 - 5,000 FCFA | Monthly auto | ~1 % |
| Tabaski gift | 5,000 - 25,000 FCFA | Annual peak | ~1 % |
At 1 % fees on a 5,000 FCFA gift, collection costs 50 FCFA: negligible against the traceability and instant receipt that build donor loyalty.
The effect of reminders and the public counter
The difference between a physical donation box and an online page comes down to three levers: automatic reminders, counter transparency and recurrence. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for a Ramadan campaign.
| Lever | Classic cash collection | Mobile money page | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donors reached | Physically present | SMS list + social | 3x reach |
| Reminders D-3 / Friday eve | None | Automatic | +30 % gifts |
| Allocation transparency | Weak | Public counter + buckets | Higher trust |
| Recurring gifts | Near zero | Monthly debit | Stable revenue |
| Tax/spiritual receipt | Manual or absent | Instant PDF | Loyalty |
| Total collected (index) | 100 | 180 - 220 | +80 to 120 % |
Mini case study
The Serigne Modou neighborhood mosque collected around 1,500,000 FCFA during Ramadan, all cash in a box. In 2026, it deploys a collection page with a QR code at the entrance and a public counter. 300 donors give an average of 4,000 FCFA, i.e. 1,200,000 FCFA, plus 80 recurring donors at 3,000 FCFA/month bringing 240,000 FCFA per month all year. Over twelve months, recurring collection alone exceeds 2,880,000 FCFA, where the box brought nothing outside Ramadan.
FAQ
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How is zakat calculated on the page?
A built-in calculator applies 2.5 % to the eligible wealth entered by the donor. On 4,000,000 FCFA, it shows 100,000 FCFA payable in one click via Wave or Orange Money.
Do donors get a receipt?
Yes, each gift generates a timestamped PDF receipt sent by SMS or email. For NGOs, this receipt can serve as a tax document depending on the organization's status.
Is the public counter mandatory?
No, but it strongly boosts trust. Showing the amount collected and allocation by bucket (water, orphans, mosque) typically increases gifts by 20 to 30 %.
How much does a collection page cost?
A collection page with receipt and counter ranges from 400,000 to 900,000 FCFA. Mobile money transaction fees run around 1 % per gift.
Can automatic monthly donations be set up?
Yes, the donor authorizes a recurring monthly debit. It is the most powerful lever: it turns a one-off Ramadan gift into stable revenue all year.
Let's talk about your project. We build your zakat and donation page with mobile money, automatic receipts and a public counter. 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.
