The verdict in three sentences
In Mbour, without a science baccalaureate or a computing degree, you can aim for the job of full-stack JavaScript developer, which hires in Dakar and can be done remotely. The course Full-Stack JavaScript Developer, taught in French, level 5 of the track, open to beginners, 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR), 61 h, starts from zero and takes you to 8 deployed projects on GitHub, including a live full-stack application. In this job, proof matters more than a degree, but allow 6 to 12 months of steady work before a first income, and nothing is guaranteed.
Is a degree really optional?
In agencies, start-ups and freelance clients, hiring a developer mostly comes down to a technical test and a portfolio. Large companies and government bodies more often ask for a degree. A career change is therefore realistic, provided you produce proof.
| Path to becoming a developer | Cost 2026 | Duration | Degree required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or master's in computing | 500,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA (760 to 3,050 EUR) a year in private schools | 3 to 5 years | Baccalaureate |
| In-person bootcamp in Dakar | 800,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (1,220 to 2,290 EUR), plus transport from Mbour | 3 to 6 months full time | No |
| Free self-learning | 0 FCFA, excluding data | 12 to 24 months, frequent drop-out | No |
| Kolonell Full-Stack course alone | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR), lifetime access | 61 h, 4 to 6 months part time | No |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA (about 535 EUR) instead of 450,000 | 6 to 9 months part time | No |
The Mbour-Dakar trip costs about 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA return; at 4 days a week for 4 months, a Dakar bootcamp adds nearly 300,000 FCFA (about 460 EUR) of transport to the listed price.
What the 61 hours cover
| Module | Skill | Typical project |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Web foundations and HTML | How the web works, semantic HTML | Personal page |
| 2. CSS and layout | Flexbox, Grid, responsive | Mobile showcase site |
| 3. JavaScript basics | Variables, functions, arrays, objects | Interactive calculator |
| 4. Advanced JavaScript and the browser | DOM, fetch, asynchronous code | App connected to an API |
| 5. Git, terminal and tools | Versioning, publishing on GitHub | Clean, documented repository |
| 6. React: components and hooks | Dynamic interfaces | React application |
| 7. Next.js and server rendering | Routes, SEO, server rendering | Deployed Next.js site |
| 8. Back end, APIs and databases | Node, Express, PostgreSQL | Live full-stack application |
| 9. CV, portfolio and applications | Preparing for hiring and assignments | 8-project portfolio |
Code exercises are marked automatically. You need a computer, even an entry-level one, and 5 to 8 hours a week. This course is level 5 of the Web development track: you can take it alone at 200,000 FCFA, or take all 5 levels at 350,000 FCFA for a gentler progression through detailed HTML and CSS, JavaScript, then React and Next.js.
What the job can pay
| Situation | Indicative pay 2026 | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Junior developer in Dakar | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA (305 to 610 EUR) a month | First job, portfolio |
| Junior in a fast-growing start-up | Up to 500,000 FCFA (760 EUR) a month | Technical test passed |
| Experienced developer in Dakar | 400,000 to 900,000 FCFA (610 to 1,370 EUR) a month | 2 to 4 years of experience |
| Freelance showcase site | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA (230 to 610 EUR) | Per project |
| Remote international assignment | 150 to 300 EUR a day, i.e. 98,000 to 197,000 FCFA | Proven experience, professional English |
These amounts are 2026 orders of magnitude that vary with profile and negotiation. International day-rate assignments rarely go to beginners: they come after a first experience.
Mini case study
Consider a hypothetical learner: Modou, 26, a receptionist at a hotel in Saly earning 120,000 FCFA a month, with no degree beyond the baccalaureate. He chooses the full track at 350,000 FCFA and spends 6 hours a week on it for 8 months, in the evenings and on days off.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative calculation: if he then landed a junior job at 280,000 FCFA a month, his gain would be 160,000 FCFA a month, repaying the 350,000 FCFA in just over two months. Compared with a 1,000,000 FCFA bootcamp plus 300,000 FCFA of transport, the gap reaches 950,000 FCFA (about 1,450 EUR). This scenario is hypothetical: a job search can take several months.
FAQ
I have never written a line of code, is it too hard?
No, the course starts from zero and the first module explains how the web works before any code. Allow 61 h of lessons and exercises, at your own pace.
Is the course alone or the full track better?
The course alone at 200,000 FCFA goes straight to the point. The track at 350,000 FCFA adds detailed levels 1 to 4, useful if you need more exercises and a gentler progression.
Can I work from Mbour without going to Dakar?
Yes, some jobs and most freelance assignments are remote. Plan for a reliable connection: a 4G or fibre box costs about 20,000 to 30,000 FCFA a month.
How do I pay and when can I start?
You pay by Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33, against a pro forma invoice: 200,000 FCFA for the course or 350,000 FCFA for the track. Access is activated within 24 working hours and is lifetime.
What certificate will I get?
A numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online by QR code, after at least 70 % in the quizzes of all 9 modules and approval of your final project by a reviewer. It is not a state diploma; your 8 projects on GitHub are your main argument.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Full-Stack JavaScript Developer: 61 h, 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR), 8 projects and a Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online. 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.
