The verdict in three sentences
In Kaolack, traders at the central market, hardware stores, private schools, transport companies and shops in Médina Baye need visuals, managed Facebook pages and data entry, but very few know whom to ask. A young person skilled in Canva, data entry or social media can sign first jobs at 25,000 to 100,000 FCFA, provided they have a clear offer, a price and a prospecting method. The Kolonell course, 6 hours for 25,000 FCFA, gives a 30-day plan to sign 1 to 3 clients and aim for 3 recurring clients within 90 days, with no guaranteed income.
What clients really pay in Kaolack in 2026
The local market pays less than Dakar, but competition is lower too. International platforms open up other clients, with a commission and global competition.
| Freelance service | Local price in Kaolack (2026 estimate) | Client price in Dakar (2026 estimate) | On an international platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack of 10 Canva visuals | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA | 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA | 20 to 60 USD, 10 to 20% commission |
| Managing a Facebook page, 1 month | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA | 100 to 300 USD |
| Data entry, 1,000 rows | 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA | 20,000 to 40,000 FCFA | 15 to 40 USD |
| Editing 4 short videos | 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 40,000 to 100,000 FCFA | 40 to 120 USD |
| Logo and business card | 15,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 35,000 to 100,000 FCFA | 30 to 100 USD |
| French to English translation, 1,000 words | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA | 15,000 to 35,000 FCFA | 20 to 50 USD |
On platforms, the 10 to 20% commission comes on top of withdrawal fees. To get started, local clients paying via Wave or Orange Money are often quicker to sign.
Comparing ways to get started
The course Digital Freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days, taught in French, is level 1 Beginner of the Freelancing and Digital Entrepreneurship track. It has 6 hours, 4 modules, 37 corrected exercises applied to your own offer, a PDF handout and a quiz per module, and 2 graded projects: your list of 10 prospects with your first messages sent, then your first-client file. A verifiable certificate validates it all.
| Option | 2026 price (estimate) | What you get | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Going solo with videos | 0 FCFA | Motivation, general advice | No pricing, no prospecting method |
| Entrepreneurship seminar in Kaolack | 10,000 to 50,000 FCFA | One day, local network | Little practice, no follow-up |
| Kolonell course, level 1 | 25,000 FCFA | Offer, pricing, 10 prospects, quote, invoice | You need a starting skill |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From first job to structured business | Long commitment |
| One-to-one coaching | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month | Personal follow-up | High cost to start |
The 30-day plan
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
| Week | Goal | Target indicator |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One-sentence offer, 3 packages, price covering time, fees and taxes | Written price list |
| 2 | List of 10 prospects via WhatsApp, Google Maps, network | 10 qualified prospects |
| 3 | Contact messages and follow-ups, 20-minute calls | 3 to 5 meetings |
| 4 | Quote, deposit, delivery, invoice, client review | 1 to 3 paying clients |
| Days 31 to 90 | Turn them into recurring clients | 3 monthly clients |
Mini case study
Fatou, 22, with a vocational diploma in communication in Kaolack, makes Canva visuals for friends. She takes the course (25,000 FCFA, 6 hours over one week). She offers a "12 visuals a month" package at 35,000 FCFA. Assumption: she signs 2 shops in the first month, 70,000 FCFA. After about 1% Wave withdrawal fees, she keeps nearly 69,000 FCFA, almost 3 times the course price. With 3 recurring clients by month three, she would aim for 105,000 FCFA a month. This scenario is illustrative: it all depends on how many prospects she actually contacts.
FAQ
Do I need a legal status to start? No, no status is required to get started. The course explains the tax provision to build into your prices, and when formalizing the activity becomes useful.
Can I take the course on my phone? Yes, a smartphone with WhatsApp and a connection is enough. A computer helps for some skills such as video editing or data entry.
How much time a day to find clients? Plan 1 to 2 hours a day for 30 days, alongside studies or a job. The 6 hours of lessons fit into one week.
Are international platforms worth it at first? They take a 10 to 20% commission and competition is global. Better to land 2 or 3 local clients first to collect reviews, then try the platforms.
How do I pay for the course? With Wave or Orange Money, 25,000 FCFA for the 4 modules, corrections and the certificate.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital Freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days: 6 h, 25,000 FCFA, verifiable certificate, taught in French. 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.
