The verdict in three sentences
In Kaolack, moving from secretary to executive assistant depends less on a degree than on three proofs: advanced command of the Office suite, managing a director's diary and meetings, and writing clear minutes. The gain is real: from 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA a month in secretarial work to roughly 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA as an executive assistant (2026 order of magnitude). Employers hiring in the region include oil mills and groundnut traders, Saloum salt companies, banks, NGOs and development projects.
Required skills in 2026
Job ads in Kaolack, Fatick and Kaffrine look alike. Here is what recruiters test, and the gap with a standard secretarial job.
| Skill | Secretary (expected level) | Executive assistant (expected level) | How the recruiter checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word | Simple letters | Templates, mail merge, long reports with a table of contents | 20-minute formatting exercise |
| Excel | Lists and totals | Tracking tables, filters, pivot tables, charts | Figure-based reporting case |
| Diary and travel | Booking appointments | Managing the director's diary, trade-offs, trips | Role play |
| Meetings | Sending invitations | Agenda, minutes, decision follow-up | Writing minutes |
| Mail and filing | Logging | Paper and digital filing, chrono file, confidentiality | Questions on method |
| Front desk and phone | Courteous welcome | Screening, prioritising, handling VIP visitors | Role play |
| Online tools | Business email, Google Drive or OneDrive, video calls | Demonstration |
Salaries and employers in Kaolack
| Position (2026 order of magnitude) | Kaolack, net monthly salary | Dakar, net monthly salary | Typical profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist secretary | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | BFEM or baccalaureate, beginner |
| Office secretary | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Baccalaureate + office training |
| SME executive assistant | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 430,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 years' experience |
| NGO or project executive assistant | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 350,000 to 600,000 FCFA | Rigour, reports, sometimes English |
| Bank or industry executive assistant | 300,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 400,000 to 600,000 FCFA and up | Confirmed experience |
| Freelance assistant (remote work) | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per client per month | 75,000 to 200,000 FCFA | Organisation and online tools |
These figures are estimates: they vary with the employer, the collective agreement, seniority and English level. No course guarantees a job.
Training: options and costs
| Option (2026) | Cost | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Word and Excel tutorials | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Variable | Isolated features, no secretarial method |
| Local office skills centre in Kaolack | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 1 to 3 months | Software basics, rarely how to run an executive office |
| BTS in executive assistance (private school) | 400,000 to 800,000 FCFA a year | 2 years | Recognised diploma, a lot of theory |
| Executive assistant course: office tools, organisation and communication | 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR / 330 USD) | 47 h online | Diary, mail, meetings, filing, reporting, 10 portfolio projects, certificate |
This course is level 5 Advanced of the Office and productivity track, the top of the track, taught in French. If your Word or Excel is still shaky, start with the earlier levels: the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 535 EUR / 580 USD). Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Mariama, 29, a secretary at a freight forwarding firm in Kaolack, earns 150,000 FCFA a month. She takes the executive assistant course (200,000 FCFA, 47 h over 10 weeks, 5 h a week) and builds a portfolio of 10 projects: a model diary, board meeting minutes, an Excel dashboard, a filing plan.
- She applies for an executive assistant job at an NGO in the region, paying 260,000 FCFA.
- Monthly gain: 260,000 - 150,000 = 110,000 FCFA.
- Payback: 200,000 / 110,000 = under 2 months of extra salary.
- Over 12 months, the cumulative gain reaches about 1,320,000 FCFA.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
This scenario remains a projection: it depends on available openings and the interview.
FAQ
Do you need a BTS to become an executive assistant in Kaolack?
It is not required by most SMEs and NGOs, which hire on practical tests and experience. A BTS helps with banks, but a portfolio of 10 concrete projects and a certificate show your real level.
Is English essential?
Not for local SMEs, but NGOs and international projects often require it to read emails and reports. Reading-level English is often enough to land a job paying 250,000 FCFA or more.
How long does the course take?
The content runs 47 h, about 10 weeks at 5 h a week, compatible with a job. The certificate is issued once the projects are validated.
Can a man take this course?
Yes, the job is open to everyone, even if it remains mostly female in Senegal. The skills and salaries are the same.
How do I pay from Kaolack?
The 200,000 FCFA fee is paid with Wave or Orange Money from your phone. The course is 100% online, in French.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive assistant: office tools, organisation and communication: 47 h, 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), 10 portfolio projects and a Kolonell Academy 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.
