Wave vs Orange Money in Senegal
Rates verified 26 June 2026 from operator schedules and momocalc data.
Wave vs Orange Money: which is cheaper in Senegal in 2026?
Sending in Senegal, Wave is 1% (vs 0.8% Orange). To withdraw, Orange Money is free since 2025, versus free (cap FCFAundefined) on Wave. Orange wins on cash-out, Wave on sending. Rates verified 26 June 2026; use the calculator below to compare your amount.
Comparison table
| Fee | WAVWave | ORGOrange |
|---|---|---|
| Send / domestic transfer | 1% (cap FCFA5,000) | 0.8% (cap FCFA4,500) |
| Withdrawal (cash-out) | Free | Free |
| Merchant payment | Free (customer side) | Free (customer side) |
| Cross-border UEMOA transfer | ~1.5% | ~1.5% |
| Fee cap | FCFA5 000 | FCFA4 500 |
| Government levy | 0.5% (cap FCFA2,000) | 0.5% (cap FCFA2,000) |
Which is cheaper?
To SEND, Orange is cheapest (FCFA80 on FCFA10,000). To WITHDRAW, Orange Money is cheapest: free withdrawals since 2025, versus Free on Wave. The Money Transfer Tax (TTA) applies equally to both.
And for a send between different networks (e.g. Wave to Orange Money), the BCEAO's PI-SPI makes it free and instant since 30 September 2025, where both institutions are connected. See PI-SPI →
Calculate your exact cost
Pick the operator, operation and amount to compare live.
Worked example: FCFA50,000 a month
| Operator | Send/mo | Withdraw/mo | Withdraw/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | FCFA750 | FCFA250 | FCFA3,000 |
| Orange | FCFA650 | FCFA250 | FCFA3,000 |
Government levy
Money Transfer Tax (TTA)
Levy activeSenegal applies a 0.5% Money Transfer Tax (TTA) on the value of each mobile money operation — transfers, payments and withdrawals — capped at 2,000 FCFA per transaction. It was created by Law n°2025-17 of 27 September 2025, and collection began on Orange Money from 16 December 2025. The operator collects it from the customer initiating the operation.
Effective since 2025-12-16
Source: Loi n°2025-17 du 27 septembre 2025 (CGI) ; Orange Sénégal ; SeneNews ; Le Quotidien (déc. 2025) · verified 2026-06-20
Which to choose for your use
Wave took off in Senegal from 2018 on the back of free domestic transfers — ideal for splitting a bill or repaying a friend at no cost. Orange Money keeps the densest agent network, reaching into secondary cities, and its free withdrawals since 2025 make it the pick for large cash-outs. Free Money rounds out the market as a 1% third option.