My Padi Guide · Module 5 of 7
Where your money lives and how it moves
Every account has a wallet. You pay from it, refunds return to it, earnings land in it, and you withdraw from it to mobile money. This module explains the wallet, the three ways to pay, escrow, deposits, and withdrawals.
Your wallet#
The wallet has two numbers:
- Balance: money you can spend or withdraw right now.
- In escrow: money committed to active orders. It’s yours (or on its way to someone) but locked until the order resolves.
Both update live on your dashboard, and every movement (payment, refund, payout, withdrawal) appears in your transaction history with a reference.
Three ways to pay#
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Wallet only | The full amount is taken from your balance. Instant. |
| Mobile money | You approve a charge on MTN MoMo or Orange Money from your phone. The app confirms automatically once the operator approves it. |
| Hybrid | Your wallet balance is used first, and only the remaining gap is charged to mobile money. The app shows you the exact split before you confirm. |
Whichever method you use, the money lands in escrow, not with the provider or restaurant. If the order is cancelled before the work is done, it returns to your wallet balance automatically, including the part you paid by mobile money. From there you can spend it on the next order or withdraw it.
If you close the app mid-payment, the order waits in the payment window (10 minutes). Reopening the order lets you resume the same payment. If the window lapses, everything already taken is reversed to your wallet.
When money is released#
| Event | Movement |
|---|---|
| Service confirmed complete by both sides | Escrow → provider’s wallet. |
| Rider picks up a food order | Food cost: escrow → restaurant’s wallet. |
| Delivery confirmed by both sides | Delivery fee: escrow → rider’s wallet, plus the rider’s security deposit is unlocked. |
| Order cancelled / timer expired | Escrow → client’s wallet (see Module 4 for the per-stage rules). |
| Dispute resolved | Escrow → whoever the My Padi team rules in favor of (or split). |
Fees#
- Platform service fee: a small percentage added when you pay for a service or food order. It’s always itemized on the payment screen before you confirm; there are no hidden charges afterwards.
- Shopper fee: tiered by basket value (table in Module 2).
- Delivery fee: tiered by distance, minimum 500 FCFA (table in Module 3).
- Mobile-money gateway costs are covered by the platform fee, so you’re never charged extra for paying by MoMo.
Handler security deposits#
When a rider accepts a delivery, an amount equal to the order’s value is locked from their wallet balance. It’s returned the moment the delivery is confirmed, or, if a delivery fails while en route, used to compensate the client for the food. Riders therefore need a funded wallet to work; a rider without enough balance simply can’t accept the job.
Withdrawals#
- Set a wallet PIN (Profile → Set PIN); withdrawals always require it.
- Open Withdraw, enter the amount and your MTN MoMo or Orange Money number.
- Confirm with your PIN. The payout is processed to your mobile money account.
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum per withdrawal | 500 FCFA |
| Maximum per withdrawal | 500,000 FCFA |
| Destination | MTN MoMo or Orange Money |
Each withdrawal shows its status (pending processing completed failed) in your payout history. A failed payout returns the amount to your wallet balance; nothing is ever lost in between.