The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, not knowing how to send a CV by email or find a saved file costs real opportunities: around 70% of office job ads require basic computer skills. A local computer centre charges 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA for one month in person, while the Kolonell level 1 course costs 25,000 FCFA, runs online at your own pace and comes with a certificate. For a job seeker or a shopkeeper, it is the most profitable spending to make before applying.
What learning computers really costs in Thiès in 2026
You have three options: a neighbourhood computer centre (Randoulène, Grand Thiès, Médina Fall), free YouTube tutorials, or a structured online course. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Certificate | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer centre in Thiès (1 month) | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA (46 to 91 EUR) | 20 to 40 h in class | Centre attestation | Fixed hours, transport on top |
| Private tutor at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | Variable | No | Expensive after 6 to 8 hours |
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Unlimited | No | No progression or checks |
| International online certificates | 15,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 10 to 30 h | Yes, often in English | Content designed for Europe |
| Kolonell Academy level 1 | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 9 h of online content | Yes | You need a computer to practise |
Transport matters too: a round trip by motorbike taxi or taxi to a centre costs 500 to 1,500 FCFA per day, i.e. 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA over a month of classes. Online, you practise at home or in an internet café at 200 to 300 FCFA per hour.
What you will be able to do after each module
The course Getting to grips with your computer, files and email (taught in French) is level 1 Essential of the office skills track. It is built around four practical modules.
| Module | Skill gained | Immediate use |
|---|---|---|
| Your workstation under control | Switch on, configure, install, update without fear | Use an office computer from day one |
| Files, folders and backup | Organise, rename, compress, back up to USB and the cloud | Never lose a CV or an invoice again |
| A professional mailbox | Create a serious address, attach a PDF, write a clear subject line | Send a clean job application |
| Keyboard shortcuts and organisation | Copy, paste, search, work twice as fast | Pass a practical hiring test |
Level 1 costs 25,000 FCFA. If you then want Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the full Office skills and productivity track (5 levels) costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 534 EUR instead of 686 EUR).
What computer skills change for jobs in Thiès
Computer skills alone do not give you a profession, but they are the foundation required for most office jobs. 2026 order of magnitude in Senegal:
| Target job | Indicative gross monthly salary | Computer required |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative officer | 100,000 to 180,000 FCFA (152 to 274 EUR) | Yes, tested at interview |
| Data entry assistant | 90,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Yes |
| Cashier or salesperson in an organised store | 80,000 to 130,000 FCFA | Often |
| Secretary in a private school or practice | 90,000 to 160,000 FCFA | Yes |
| Independent shopkeeper | Variable | Useful for quotes, invoices, supplier emails |
For reference, the minimum wage is around 64,000 FCFA. These ranges are estimates: the course guarantees neither a job nor a salary.
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.
Mamadou, 27, holder of a BTS diploma in Thiès, has been applying for eight months by dropping off paper CVs. Several ads ask for applications by email, which he cannot do on his own. He completes level 1 in two weeks, 45 minutes each evening.
- Course cost: 25,000 FCFA
- Internet café for practice: 10 sessions x 250 FCFA = 2,500 FCFA
- Total: 27,500 FCFA, versus 45,000 FCFA plus 20,000 FCFA of transport for a local centre
If he lands an administrative officer job at 120,000 FCFA gross, the spending represents less than one week of salary. Even without an immediate hire, he can now answer online job ads, which are the majority.
FAQ
Do I need to own a computer to follow the course?
It is ideal, but an internet café at 200 to 300 FCFA per hour is enough to practise. The 9 hours of content can also be watched on a phone, with practice done on a computer afterwards.
I have never used a mouse, is it too hard?
No, level 1 starts from zero and explains everything in simple French. Most learners finish in 2 to 3 weeks with 30 to 45 minutes a day.
Is the certificate recognised by employers?
It is a Kolonell Academy certificate, not a state diploma. It proves you completed the programme; the employer will mostly check your ease during a 10 to 15 minute practical test.
How do I pay from Thiès?
Payment is by Wave or Orange Money, 25,000 FCFA in one go. Access opens as soon as payment is confirmed.
What comes after level 1?
Continue with Word and Excel in the office skills track. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA if you take it as a whole.
Take the next step. Enroll in Getting to grips with your computer, files and email: 9 h online, 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), certificate included. 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.
