The verdict in three sentences
In Abidjan, the executive assistant role pays clearly better than standard secretarial work: 300,000 to 700,000 FCFA a month depending on company size. For a secretary or assistant already in a job, a two-year BTS diploma is not always necessary: what is usually missing are executive-level methods (diary, meetings, reporting, discretion). The Kolonell Academy Executive Assistant course, level 5 Advanced, teaches those methods in 47 hours for 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR).
How much an executive assistant earns in Abidjan in 2026
The gaps are large between an SME in the Plateau, a group subsidiary and an international organisation. Here are indicative 2026 ranges, to be read as an order of magnitude.
| Employer type | Indicative monthly salary 2026 | Common requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary in an SME (Adjamé, Yopougon) | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Typing, reception, mail |
| Executive assistant in a structured SME | 300,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Diary, minutes, Excel |
| CEO assistant in a group subsidiary (Plateau, Marcory) | 400,000 to 550,000 FCFA | Reporting, board meetings |
| Executive assistant in banking or telecoms | 450,000 to 650,000 FCFA | Confidentiality, procedures, English |
| Assistant in an NGO or international organisation | 500,000 to 700,000 FCFA | Missions, budgets, fluent English |
| Freelance remote assistant | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per client | Diary and email management for executives |
The difference between a secretary and an executive assistant is rarely about typing speed. It is about preparing a board meeting, keeping a dashboard and filtering requests to the executive.
Three ways to train, and what they cost
| Option | Total cost 2026 | Length | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTS in executive assistance at a private school | 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA | 2 years | School leaver with no experience |
| In-person continuing education | 350,000 to 600,000 FCFA | 5 to 10 days | Employee funded by the employer |
| Free online tutorials | 0 FCFA | Scattered | Curious learners, no certificate |
| Kolonell Executive Assistant (level 5) | 200,000 FCFA | 47 h | Secretary or assistant already working |
| Full Office Skills track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | About 100 h | Complete beginner in office software |
The course Executive assistant: office software, organisation and communication is taught in French and is the final level of the Office Skills and Productivity track. If you are not yet comfortable with Word and Excel, the full track makes more sense than level 5 alone.
What the course covers, module by module
| Block | Modules | What you produce |
|---|---|---|
| Role and priorities | The job, diary and priorities | A CEO diary for a busy week |
| Writing | Mail and administrative correspondence | Letters, internal memos, template replies |
| Meetings | Meetings, boards, general assemblies | Agenda, minutes, decision tracking |
| Files | Filing and archiving | Paper and digital filing plan |
| Numbers | Executive reporting in Excel | Monthly dashboard |
| Presenting | Executive presentations | A management committee deck |
| Logistics | Travel, events, expenses | Travel order and expense report |
| Attitude | Professional communication, running the office | Office procedures |
The ten modules lead to projects you can show in an interview as a portfolio.
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.
Aminata, 29, a secretary at a freight forwarding company in Treichville, earns 220,000 FCFA a month. She pays 200,000 FCFA for the course with Orange Money and completes it in six weeks at 8 hours a week. Three months later, she applies for a CEO assistant role at a subsidiary in Marcory, offered at 380,000 FCFA. If she gets it, her monthly gain is 160,000 FCFA: the course pays for itself in under six weeks of salary. This outcome is not guaranteed, but her portfolio projects give her concrete evidence to show.
FAQ
Do I need a diploma to become an executive assistant in Abidjan?
Many job ads ask for a BTS, but SMEs and subsidiaries also hire on experience and evidence. Two to three years of secretarial work plus a strong portfolio often make up for the lack of a diploma.
Does the course replace a BTS?
No, it is a Kolonell Academy certificate, not a state diploma. It does cost 200,000 FCFA versus over 1,200,000 FCFA for a private BTS, and it targets the actual tasks of the job.
How long does it take?
Allow 47 hours. At 8 hours a week, that is about six weeks, compatible with a job.
Is English essential?
In banks, NGOs and international groups, yes: it can add 15 to 30 % to the salary. The Professional English track starts at 25,000 FCFA.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money: 200,000 FCFA for this level, or 350,000 FCFA for the five levels of the track instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive assistant: office software, organisation and communication: 47 hours, 200,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate and portfolio projects, 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.