The verdict in three sentences
In Touba and Mbacké, young people who can do Canva design, video editing or page management can sell that skill to retailers, modern daaras, transport firms and diaspora-run SMEs. The Kolonell course "Freelance digital : décrocher ses premiers clients en 30 jours" (Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days, taught in French, level 1 of 5, 25,000 FCFA, 6 hours online) gives a concrete plan: one offer, one rate, 10 prospects, a first client paid via Wave. As a 2026 order of magnitude, a local job bills at 30,000 to 100,000 FCFA, and a regular freelancer reaches 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA a month after about 6 months.
Which services to sell in Touba, and at what price
Touba is a trading city: fabric shops, hardware stores, restaurants, transport agencies and businesses tied to major religious events such as the Magal. Many have a poorly maintained Facebook page or WhatsApp Business account. The Mouride diaspora, very active in Italy, France and the United States, also orders visuals and videos.
| Service | Local 2026 rate (order of magnitude) | Turnaround | Typical clients in Touba |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack of 10 Canva visuals | 30,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 days | Shops, restaurants |
| Promotional video edit | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA per video | 1 to 3 days | Retailers, events |
| Facebook and Instagram page management | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA a month | Ongoing | SMEs, transport firms |
| WhatsApp Business catalogue | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 days | Hardware, fabric shops |
| Magal posters | 20,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 1 day | Associations, shops |
| Data entry and virtual assistance | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA a month | Ongoing | Diaspora, small firms |
These rates are benchmarks, not promises. The course teaches you to set a price that covers your time, Wave or Orange Money fees and a tax provision.
30-day plan and options compared
| Option | 2026 cost | What you get | Delay before first client |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 | 25,000 FCFA | 30-day plan, message and quote templates | 2 to 4 weeks targeted |
| One-to-one coaching in Dakar | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA | Personal support | Variable, + travel |
| In-person entrepreneurship training | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | General theory | Often no action plan |
| Free freelancing videos | 0 FCFA | Scattered tips, often for Fiverr | Long, no method |
The course to land your first digital freelance clients follows a simple rhythm. Week 1: choose a precise offer and a rate. Week 2: list 10 prospects and prepare a portfolio of 3 pieces. Week 3: reach out, follow up, send a clear quote. Week 4: deliver, get paid, ask for a review and a referral. It is the first level of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track, whose 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Serigne, 21, in Touba, already edits videos for friends on CapCut. After the course, he picks a single offer: "4 promotional videos a month for a shop" at 60,000 FCFA. He contacts 10 retailers at the Ocass market and signs 2 in the first month.
Calculation: 2 clients at 60,000 FCFA make 120,000 FCFA a month. After about 1% withdrawal fees and 10% set aside for taxes, he keeps just over 106,000 FCFA. The 25,000 FCFA course is recovered in the first week of payments, and he aims for 4 clients, or 240,000 FCFA a month, within 6 months.
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 a computer to become a freelancer?
Not necessarily: Canva, CapCut and WhatsApp Business work on a smartphone. A computer becomes useful beyond 3 or 4 regular clients.
How do I set my first rate?
The course offers a method: time spent multiplied by a target hourly rate, plus 1 to 2% payment fees and a 10% provision. A beginner in Touba often starts around 30,000 FCFA per job.
How do I get paid safely?
The course recommends a 50% deposit via Wave or Orange Money before starting. The balance is paid on delivery, with a simple invoice.
Can I work for the diaspora?
Yes, many Touba clients live in Italy or France and pay via Wave or transfers. Rates are often 20 to 50% higher than local ones.
How do I enroll?
Enrollment costs 25,000 FCFA, paid with Wave or Orange Money, with immediate access to the 6 hours of lessons and a Kolonell Academy certificate at the end.
Take the next step. Enroll in Freelance digital : décrocher ses premiers clients en 30 jours: 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.
