The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, many young graduates can do graphic design, writing or social media management, but do not know how to turn that skill into paying clients. A first job is generally billed at 25,000 to 100,000 FCFA, and 3 to 5 regular clients are enough to aim for about 300,000 FCFA per month, as a 2026 order of magnitude. The Digital Freelancing course, level 1, 25,000 FCFA for 6 hours, gives you a concrete method: offer, pricing, prospecting, quotes and retention.
The digital freelance market in Saint-Louis in 2026
Saint-Louis combines several client sources: hotels and tourist lodges on the island and the Langue de Barbarie, restaurants, downtown shops, cultural associations linked to the jazz festival, organizations around Gaston Berger University, plus clients in Dakar and the diaspora reachable remotely.
| Freelance service | First job price (2026) | Recurring monthly package | Typical clients in Saint-Louis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo and simple visual identity | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA | Rare | Shops, restaurants, associations |
| Social media visuals | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA per pack of 10 | 40,000 to 100,000 FCFA | Hotels, boutiques, salons |
| Facebook and Instagram page management | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA for the first month | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA | Hotels, restaurants, private schools |
| Copywriting and articles | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per article | 40,000 to 90,000 FCFA | SMEs, NGOs, websites |
| Short video editing | 15,000 to 50,000 FCFA per video | 60,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Events, tourism |
The most stable model remains the monthly package: 3 to 5 clients at 60,000 to 100,000 FCFA each bring income close to 300,000 FCFA per month.
International platforms or local clients: comparing
| Channel | Commission or cost | Time to a first client | Advantages | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International platforms (Fiverr, Upwork, Malt) | 10 to 20% of the amount | 1 to 3 months | Clients paying in EUR or USD | Heavy competition, withdrawals sometimes complicated |
| Local Facebook and WhatsApp groups | 0 FCFA | 2 to 6 weeks | Direct contact, Wave payment | Lower prices |
| Direct prospecting in Saint-Louis | Transport, a few thousand FCFA | 2 to 4 weeks | Trust, loyal clients | Requires the nerve to introduce yourself |
| Network referrals | 0 FCFA | Variable | High conversion rate | Depends on your circle |
| Kolonell Academy, Digital Freelancing level 1 | 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), 6 hours | Method aiming at 30 days | Offer, pricing, prospecting script, quote template | No client provided |
The recommended course is Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days, taught in French, at level 1 Essentials, for 25,000 FCFA and 6 hours. It belongs to the Freelancing and entrepreneurship track, whose 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What you set up in 6 hours
| Step | Content | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Choose an offer | One service, one target, one result | A clear one-sentence offer |
| Set your prices | Packages, 50% deposit, Wave or Orange Money payment | Price list |
| Minimum portfolio | 3 to 5 pieces, even mock or volunteer work | Online or PDF portfolio |
| Prospecting | WhatsApp messages, visits, networks | List of 30 prospects |
| Quote and simple contract | Scope, deadlines, revisions | Reusable quote template |
| Retention | Moving from one job to a monthly package | Subscription proposal |
Mini case study
Mariama, 25, a communications graduate from Gaston Berger University, makes Canva visuals for friends without ever being paid. She takes the course for 25,000 FCFA, paid via Wave.
- Within 4 weeks she contacts 30 shops and hotels in Saint-Louis and lands 2 clients: a restaurant on the island at 50,000 FCFA per month and a lodge at 60,000 FCFA per month to manage their pages.
- Monthly income: 110,000 FCFA, more than 4 times the course price in the first month.
- With a third client at 70,000 FCFA three months later, she reaches 180,000 FCFA per month.
- Payback: about 1 to 2 weeks after the first invoice, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
These figures are estimates: the pace depends on time spent prospecting and portfolio quality.
FAQ
Do I need to master a skill already?
Yes, the course does not teach design or writing: it teaches you to sell a skill you already have. A decent level in Canva or writing is enough to target jobs at 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA.
Are the 30 days guaranteed?
No, no result is guaranteed. The 30 days are a method target, achievable if you contact around thirty prospects and follow up with each at least once.
Do I need a NINEA (tax ID) to invoice?
To start, many freelancers work with a simple receipt. Beyond a few regular clients, registering as a sole entrepreneur, often for 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA in fees, becomes advisable.
How do I receive client payments?
In Senegal, Wave and Orange Money are the simplest, with a 50% deposit before starting. For international clients, platforms keep a 10 to 20% commission.
How do I pay for the course?
The 25,000 FCFA is paid by Wave or Orange Money, with a Kolonell Academy certificate at the end. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days: 6 hours online, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate. 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.
