How Elebne Works
Understand the Elebne platform, key actors, and how payments flow from customer to merchant.
How Elebne Works
Elebne is a fintech super-app for Mauritania. Customers use the Elebne mobile wallet to pay for goods and services. Merchants use the Developer API to integrate Elebne payments into their own applications, websites, or point-of-sale systems.
Key actors
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Payer | A customer with an Elebne mobile wallet. They initiate and confirm payments. |
| Merchant | A business with an Elebne Commerce account. They create payment intents and receive funds. |
| Elebne | The platform. Handles authentication, settlement, commissions, and notifications. |
The payment flow
When a customer pays a merchant through the API, here is what happens:
Merchant creates a payment intent
Your server calls POST /dev/intents with an amount and label. Elebne returns a payment intent with a unique reference number (e.g., PI-3XXXXXXXXXXXXXX) and status PENDING.
Customer pays
The customer opens the Elebne mobile app, scans a payment code or enters the reference number, reviews the details, and confirms. Alternatively, you can redirect the customer to a hosted checkout page.
Elebne processes the payment
Elebne debits the customer's wallet, applies a 2% commission, and credits the merchant's Elebne account. The payment intent status changes to PAID.
Webhook fires
Elebne sends a payment.confirmed event to your registered webhook endpoints. Your server can then fulfill the order, update your database, or trigger downstream actions.
Settlement
Funds are settled instantly to the merchant's Elebne account. The merchant can view the balance in the Elebne mobile app and withdraw to a bank account or mobile money at any time.
Commission
Elebne charges a 2% commission per transaction, deducted automatically from the payment amount before crediting the merchant. For example, on a 500.00 MRU payment (50000 centimes), the merchant receives 490.00 MRU after commission.
Two ways to accept payments
| Method | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Intents | Server-to-server integrations, POS, mobile apps | Create an intent via API, display the reference to the customer, receive a webhook on completion. |
| Hosted Checkout | Websites, e-commerce | Redirect the customer to an Elebne-hosted page where they complete payment. |
Store API
Beyond payments, the Developer API lets you manage your product catalog and orders programmatically:
- Products — Create, update, and list products with prices, images, and inventory levels.
- Orders — Receive and manage orders placed through the Elebne marketplace or your own storefront.
- Inventory — Track stock levels and get notified when items run low.
Next steps
- Quickstart — Make your first API call in 5 minutes
- Authentication — Learn about API keys and scopes
- Pay API — Full payment integration guide
Was this page helpful?