Server-side payments
Charge from your server when you own the UX
Direct charges call POST /charge/wave or POST /charge/mtn from your backend when a custom mobile-money flow matters more than a hosted checkout page. POST /charge/card and POST /charge/switch return 503 service_unavailable until card rails are finalized; use hosted checkout or payment links for cards.
When it fits
Wave and MTN from your app
Create charges server-side; customers approve on their phone or open the launch URL from your UI.
Card direct charges not available yet
POST /charge/card and POST /charge/switch return 503 today. Use hosted checkout or payment links for card collection.
Webhooks for pending states
Mobile money often starts PENDING; your integration listens for completion events rather than assuming instant success.
Network and platform flows
Operators can delegate charges to connected member accounts with the Lomi-Account header, see <a href="/network" class="underline hover:text-foreground">Network</a>.
What are lomi. direct charges?
Payment infrastructure for francophone West Africa: hosted checkout, Mobile Money, cards, payouts, subscriptions, and developer APIs across UEMOA. Direct charges let your server initiate Wave and MTN MoMo when you control the payment UI; card direct charges are not available yet.
Key facts
- Create Wave and MTN charges server-side; customers approve on their phone.
- POST /charge/card and POST /charge/switch return 503 until card direct charges launch.
- Mobile money often starts PENDING until completion webhooks arrive.
Direct charges vs hosted checkout
Hosted checkout and payment links are fastest for most teams. Direct charges fit custom mobile-money flows you fully control.
How to use direct charges
- Call POST /charge/wave or POST /charge/mtn from your backend with your secret API key.
- Present the launch URL to the customer.
- Update order state from webhooks instead of assuming instant success.
Direct charges FAQ
When should I use direct charges?
When you need a custom Wave or MTN UX. For cards, use hosted checkout or payment links until card direct charges are available.
Prefer less custom UI?
Most teams should start with hosted checkout or Relay store plugins before direct charges.
See pricing