The verdict in three sentences
In Yamoussoukro, SMEs in trade, hospitality and transport, and the firms around the administration and INP-HB, lose hours every week re-typing orders, chasing invoices and compiling reports by hand. With Make, Zapier, Google Sheets and an AI assistant, these tasks can be automated without writing code, and a simple automation delivered to an SME is billed at roughly 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA in 2026. The online course Automate your work with AI, 20 hours for 100,000 FCFA, is for people who already use AI and want to take the next step.
What automation costs: training and tools
Prices are 2026 orders of magnitude for a learner based in Côte d'Ivoire.
| Expense item | Indicative cost | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube tutorials on Make or Zapier | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | No method for choosing, no safeguards |
| In-person no-code training in Abidjan | 200,000 to 450,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days, travel from Yamoussoukro |
| International online certificate | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month | In English, non-African cases |
| Kolonell "Automate your work with AI" | 100,000 FCFA | 20 h, 8 portfolio automations, certificate |
| Make or Zapier, free plan | 0 FCFA | Enough for all exercises |
| Make or Zapier, paid plan | 6,000 to 20,000 FCFA per month | Only when volume requires it |
The course Automate your work with AI, without writing code, taught in French, is level 4 Intermediate, 100,000 FCFA, of the Artificial intelligence track. Level 3 "Generative AI for professionals" (75,000 FCFA, 12 h) is recommended beforehand, and the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What you build during the 20 hours
Eight modules, from decision to maintenance: choosing what to automate, custom AI assistants, Google Sheets and AI in bulk, Make and Zapier scenarios, automatic documents and emails, WhatsApp customer reception with AI, AI agents and safeguards, making it reliable, documenting and maintaining.
| Module | Concrete deliverable | Example in Yamoussoukro |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing what to automate | Map of 20 scored tasks | Rent reminders for an agency |
| Custom AI assistants | Assistant with 10 tests | Standard replies for a hotel |
| Google Sheets and AI in bulk | 200 rows classified and summarised | Customer reviews of a restaurant |
| Make or Zapier scenarios | 3 scenarios, one with human approval | Order form to sheet and email |
| Automatic documents | Report generator linked to a form | Delivery round report for a carrier |
| WhatsApp Business and AI | Customer reception with approval | Appointment booking for a clinic |
| Reliability and documentation | Maintenance sheet | Handover to an SME client |
At the end, you have one complete process of your activity automated end to end and a portfolio of 8 automations to show clients or an employer.
Possible service income, 2026 order of magnitude
| Type of assignment for an SME | Indicative rate | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| Simple automation (form to sheet and email) | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days |
| Complete documented process (order, invoice, reminder) | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Monthly maintenance | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA per month | A few hours per month |
| Internal gain for an employee | 4 to 10 h per week | Depending on repetitive workload |
These rates are observed in Dakar and Abidjan, excluding tool subscriptions; in Yamoussoukro, SMEs often negotiate at the lower end of the range. No volume of assignments is guaranteed.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Yao, 31, administrative manager at a distribution company in Yamoussoukro and freelancer in the evenings, takes the course over two months for 100,000 FCFA paid via Wave. He first automates his employer's invoice reminders, then sells a simple automation to a pharmacy and a hotel in town at 175,000 FCFA each, with maintenance at 25,000 FCFA per month. Calculation: 2 × 175,000 = 350,000 FCFA, minus 12,000 FCFA of Make subscription over two months, gives 338,000 FCFA net: the course is paid back from the first assignment, then maintenance brings in 50,000 FCFA per month. Illustrative scenario, not guaranteed.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Everything is built by drag and drop in Make and Zapier, with forms, sheets and document templates. When a need really requires development, the course tells you.
How much do the tools cost?
The exercises work on the free plans. In production, allow roughly 6,000 to 20,000 FCFA per month depending on the volume of operations.
Can I take the course on a phone?
Not for configuration: Make and Zapier are set up on a computer with a stable connection. Lessons can be read on a phone, but plan a computer for the 20 hours of practice.
What level do I need before starting?
Level 3 "Generative AI for professionals" (75,000 FCFA) is recommended, or equivalent practice with structured prompts. Complete beginners start at level 1 at 25,000 FCFA.
Is automation safe for client data?
The module on agents and safeguards requires human approval on sensitive sends and documentation of every scenario. A WhatsApp message or an invoice never goes out unchecked.
Take the next step. Enroll in Automate your work with AI, without writing code: 20 hours online, 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), verifiable certificate and 8 portfolio automations. 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.
