Working for a restaurant in Douala, a start-up in Abidjan and a gallery in Paris? Every client has their own payment habits and their own currency. Here's how to invoice internationally with peace of mind.
One currency per client
The simplest rule: invoice each client in their own currency. A client in Paris understands "€2,296", not "1,506,000 XAF". You avoid questions, conversion errors and late payments.
- Clients in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Gabon: CFA franc.
- Clients in Europe: euro.
- Clients in North America or international companies: dollar.
The CFA franc and the euro
The CFA franc (XAF in Central Africa, XOF in West Africa) has a fixed peg to the euro: €1 = 655.957 XAF. No nasty exchange-rate surprises between these two currencies.
What an invoice must include
- Your full contact details, your RCCM (trade register number) and your NIU (tax ID), or those of your agency.
- The client's contact details.
- A unique, sequential invoice number (for example INV-2026-014).
- The issue date and the due date.
- The breakdown of services, the total before tax, the VAT and the total including tax.
- The payment methods you accept.
Offering the right payment methods
| Client | Suitable payment methods |
|---|---|
| Individual in Cameroon | Orange Money, MTN MoMo |
| Client in West Africa | Wave, Orange Money |
| Company or NGO | Bank transfer |
| Client in Europe | Card, bank transfer, PayPal |
| Diaspora | Card, PayPal |
The simpler the payment, the faster it arrives. A payment button right on the invoice saves days.
Deposits and installments
For projects lasting more than a month, split it up: a deposit on signature, an installment halfway through, the balance on delivery. The client spreads out the cost, and you keep a steady cash flow.
Following up without awkwardness
A late invoice isn't a drama: it's often just forgotten. A friendly reminder a few days after the due date is enough in most cases. Coolcolab spots overdue invoices and prepares these gentle reminders for you.
