The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, a front-end-only developer often plateaus around 300,000 to 450,000 FCFA a month, while a full-stack profile able to ship a complete application targets 500,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA. The move requires mastering APIs, databases, authentication and deployment, then proving it with a portfolio. Kolonell Academy's level 5 Expert course (61 h, 200,000 FCFA) is built for that jump.
What the Dakar market wants in 2026
Job ads from IT services firms, fintechs and startups in Dakar (Plateau, Mermoz, Almadies) and from foreign clients on freelance platforms point to the same technical core. The table summarises the skills requested and their weight (2026 estimate based on observed ads).
| Skill | Share of full-stack ads | Covered by the course | What interviewers expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern JavaScript (async, fetch, modules) | Almost always | Yes, modules 3 and 4 | Read and fix asynchronous code |
| React (components, hooks) | More than 7 ads in 10 | Yes, module 6 | Build a form with state and validation |
| Next.js (App Router, server rendering) | Rising fast, about 1 ad in 2 | Yes, module 7 | Explain server vs client rendering |
| Node.js and Express (REST APIs) | More than 6 ads in 10 | Yes, module 8 | Create a secured route |
| PostgreSQL and Prisma | About 1 ad in 2 | Yes, module 8 | Model 3 related tables |
| Git and GitHub (branches, pull requests) | Always | Yes, module 5 | Resolve a merge conflict |
| Deployment (Vercel, VPS) | Often listed as a plus | Yes, final project | Show a live application |
The programme has 9 modules: web foundations and HTML, CSS, JavaScript (basics then advanced), Git and tooling, React, Next.js, backend with APIs and databases, and finally CV, portfolio and job applications. The basics are reviewed at an accelerated pace, for people who already code a little or have taken the previous levels. Full details are on the page of the Full-Stack JavaScript Developer course, taught in French.
Salaries, gigs and course cost
| Situation in Dakar | Monthly income 2026 (order of magnitude) | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Junior front-end developer or integrator | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, some React |
| Junior full-stack developer at an IT services firm | 500,000 to 700,000 FCFA | Portfolio with an API and a database |
| Experienced full-stack (3+ years), fintech or startup | 800,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | Autonomy on a complete project |
| Local freelancer (sites and apps for SMEs) | 300,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA, irregular | Network and well-scoped quotes |
| Remote gigs (Europe, Canada) | 150 to 300 EUR a day, i.e. 98,000 to 197,000 FCFA | Professional English or French, solid GitHub |
On the training side, options differ in cost: an intensive bootcamp in Dakar runs 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA, and free resources (documentation, freeCodeCamp) are excellent but come without follow-up or structure in French. The Kolonell course costs 200,000 FCFA on its own, or is part of the Web development track, whose 5 courses cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Mini case study
Fatou, 26, a front-end integrator at an agency in Dakar, earns 350,000 FCFA a month. She takes the Full-Stack course (200,000 FCFA, paid with Wave) over 4 months at 4 hours a week, and publishes 8 projects on GitHub, including a booking app built with Next.js, Express and PostgreSQL.
Six months later she negotiates a full-stack job at 600,000 FCFA. Gain: 250,000 FCFA a month, so the course is paid back in under a month. On the side, a 5-day remote gig at 180 EUR a day would bring her about 590,000 FCFA. These amounts are a 2026 order of magnitude, not a promise: they depend on the quality of the portfolio and the interviews.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code already?
It is recommended: this is level 5 Expert and reviews the basics at an accelerated pace. If you are starting from zero, begin with level 1 "Discover code" at 25,000 FCFA or take the full track at 350,000 FCFA.
How long does it take to finish the 61 hours?
Between 3 and 5 months at 4 to 5 hours a week, including project time. Learners with more availability finish in 6 to 8 weeks.
Are remote gigs at 150 to 300 EUR a day realistic from Dakar?
Yes for profiles with 2 to 3 years of experience and a solid GitHub. A beginner usually starts with local projects at 300,000 to 800,000 FCFA each.
What does the final portfolio contain?
8 deployed projects, including a complete full-stack application with authentication, plus a technical CV and LinkedIn profile reworked in the last module.
How do I pay?
200,000 FCFA by Wave or Orange Money. A Kolonell Academy certificate is issued after passing the quizzes and the final project.
Take the next step. Enroll in Full-Stack JavaScript Developer: 61 hours of lessons in French, 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR / 335 USD), completion 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.
