The verdict in three sentences
In a logistics company at the port of San-Pédro, a large share of administrative work consists of copying data: arrival notices received by email, delivery notes, weighings, container statuses, then client reports. These repetitive tasks can now be automated without writing code, using Google Sheets, Make or Zapier and an AI assistant, for a tool cost of 0 to 15,000 FCFA per month. A 20-hour course at 100,000 FCFA is enough to aim for 5 to 10 hours saved per week, provided you start with one well-chosen process.
The tasks best suited to automation
The port of San-Pédro mainly handles cocoa, rubber, timber and containers. Forwarding, handling and warehousing companies produce tracking sheets filled in by hand every day. Here are typical tasks and the time they take, as 2026 estimates.
| Administrative task | Manual time per week | Possible automation | Estimated remaining time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copying email arrival notices into Excel | 3 to 4 h | Gmail to Google Sheets via Make, AI extraction | 30 min of checking |
| Updating container statuses | 2 to 3 h | Google Form filled on site, sheet updates itself | 20 min |
| Writing the weekly client report | 2 h | AI assistant summarizes the sheet and drafts the report | 30 min |
| Chasing missing documents | 1 to 2 h | Automatic email when a column stays empty for 48 h | 10 min |
| Answering tracking questions on WhatsApp | 2 h | Template replies and WhatsApp Business linked to the sheet | 45 min |
| Filing attachments (BL, invoices) | 1 h | Automatic renaming and storage in Drive | 5 min |
All in all, an employee combining these tasks can recover several hours per week. The realistic figure depends on volume: 4 to 10 hours depending on the files handled.
Course and tools: what automation costs in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person course in Abidjan (AI and productivity) | 250,000 to 600,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days, plus travel from San-Pédro | General demos, little follow-up on your own files |
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 FCFA | Variable | Good ideas, but in English and with no reliability method |
| Hiring a provider for one process | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA per simple automation | 1 to 3 weeks | One process delivered, but you depend on them for changes |
| Kolonell Academy, Automate your work with AI (level 4) | 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR) | 20 h at your own pace | AI assistants, Sheets, Make, Zapier, Gmail, WhatsApp Business, safeguards, certificate |
| Tools (Make, Zapier, AI) in regular use | 0 to 15,000 FCFA per month | Ongoing | Free plans are often enough to start |
The course Automate your work with AI, without writing code, taught in French, is level 4, intermediate, of the track. Its eight modules go from choosing what to automate to AI agents with safeguards, through Google Sheets and AI, multi-step Make and Zapier scenarios, automatic documents and emails, client handling on WhatsApp Business, then documentation and maintenance.
If you do not yet use ChatGPT or another assistant daily, start with level 3, Generative AI for professionals, at 75,000 FCFA. The full Artificial intelligence track, five levels up to the AI consultant job, costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Rules for automation that holds up
Poorly designed automation creates more work than it removes. Three principles taught in the course avoid common mistakes in logistics: automate a task repeated at least 20 times a week, keep a human check on amounts and container numbers, and document each scenario so a colleague can take over during your leave. Client data stays in company accounts, not on a personal account.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Illustrative scenario: Aminata, 31, operations assistant in a forwarding company in San-Pédro, paid 250,000 FCFA net per month for about 176 h, roughly 1,420 FCFA per hour of salary cost.
- She takes the course over 5 weeks, 4 h per week. Cost: 100,000 FCFA paid with Wave.
- She first automates arrival notice entry and the weekly report. Tools: 10,000 FCFA per month.
- Estimated time saved: 6 h per week, about 26 h per month.
- Value of recovered time: 26 h x 1,420 FCFA = about 37,000 FCFA per month, minus 10,000 FCFA of tools, so 27,000 FCFA net.
- Payback: 100,000 / 27,000 = just under 4 months, not counting avoided data entry errors.
For Aminata, the most visible gain lies elsewhere: she leaves the office on time and can take on two more clients, a strong argument at her next annual review.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code? No. The course uses no-code tools: Google Sheets, Make, Zapier, Gmail and AI assistants. You do need to be comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets.
Are the tools paid? Free plans of Make, Zapier and AI assistants are often enough for a first process. Heavier use costs roughly 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per month.
Does my company need to agree? Yes, it is recommended as soon as you connect email or client files. The reliability module explains how to present the project to your manager.
How many hours can I really save? The usual goal is 4 to 10 hours per week depending on the volume of repetitive tasks. It is not guaranteed: a role with little data entry will save less.
How do I pay for the course? With Wave or Orange Money: 100,000 FCFA for this level, or 350,000 FCFA for the five levels of the track.
Take the next step. Enroll in Automate your work with AI, without writing code: 20 h at your own pace, 100,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate included. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
