The verdict in three sentences
In Ouagadougou, traders, drivers and students deal every week with partners from neighbouring Ghana, and not being able to introduce yourself in English costs sales and jobs. Bilingual job offers are often paid 20 to 40% more as a 2026 order of magnitude, for a starting effort of just a few weeks. Kolonell's Beginner English course (level 1, 13 h, 25,000 FCFA) teaches, in French, the sounds, sentences and 300 words that let you hold a first conversation at work.
Why English matters in Ouagadougou
Ghana is one of Burkina Faso's leading trade partners: goods transiting through Paga and the port of Tema, traders from Kumasi and Accra, haulers on the Ouaga to Accra route. Add international NGOs, mining projects and telecom companies, which hire people able to read an email or answer the phone in English.
| Profile in Ouagadougou | Where English helps | Possible gain, 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Trader sourcing from Ghana | Negotiating a price, checking an invoice | Fewer middlemen, 3 to 8% more margin |
| Driver, Ouaga to Accra hauler | Customs, clients, delivery instructions | Access to international haulage contracts |
| Receptionist, hotel front desk | Welcoming English-speaking visitors | Bilingual job paid 20 to 40% more |
| Final-year student | Applying for NGO internships | Access to offers requiring basic English |
| Telecom or mining technician | Reading a spec sheet, a simple report | Better internal career prospects |
| Guide or craftsperson at SIAO | Presenting products to buyers | Direct sales to foreign visitors |
These gains depend on the job and the employer. Beginner level does not make you bilingual, but it unlocks the most frequent situations: introducing yourself, understanding a simple question, giving a price, a date, an address.
Comparing ways to learn
| Option | Estimated cost 2026 | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Free apps and videos | 0 FCFA, plus data | Isolated vocabulary, little workplace speaking |
| Language centre in Ouagadougou | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month | Group, fixed hours, travel |
| Private lessons | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | Tailored, but 13 h cost 65,000 to 130,000 FCFA |
| Kolonell Beginner English | 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) | 13 h online, explained in French, certificate |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From beginner to executive English |
The Kolonell Academy Beginner English course, taught in French, is level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA of the Professional English track. Sounds, pronunciation and 300 work-related words are explained in French, with a concrete goal: a one-minute self-introduction delivered without reading. Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money.
A realistic four-week plan
| Week | Content | Measurable goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English sounds, introducing yourself, numbers | Say your name, job, phone number |
| 2 | Simple questions, prices, dates, times | Understand and give a price at the market |
| 3 | Work, clients, phone | Hold a 2-minute call |
| 4 | Review and final presentation | One-minute introduction without reading |
At 3 to 4 hours per week, the 13 h fit into a month. The most effective habit is 15 minutes of daily practice, for instance repeating the day's sentences aloud in a taxi or at the shop.
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.
Issouf, 34, a spare-parts trader at Ouagadougou's main market, buys part of his stock in Kumasi through a middleman who takes 5% on each order. On 2,000,000 FCFA of monthly purchases, that is 100,000 FCFA. After the course (25,000 FCFA) and a few weeks of practice, he negotiates directly with two Ghanaian suppliers on WhatsApp. If he saves even half of the commission, 50,000 FCFA per month, the course pays for itself in under three weeks. This scenario is illustrative and guarantees no gain.
FAQ
Can I really start with no background at all?
Yes, this level 1 starts from zero and explains everything in French. It also suits those who have forgotten their high-school English, in 13 h of guided work.
How long until I can manage at work?
Count 4 weeks at 3 or 4 hours per week for simple situations. For meetings or professional emails, the next levels of the track take over: the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Is Ghanaian English different from what the course teaches?
The Ghanaian accent has its own features, but basic vocabulary and grammar are the same. The listening exercises prepare you for varied accents, African ones included.
Do I need a computer?
No, a smartphone is enough to follow the 13 h and record yourself speaking. Data use stays low, about 1 to 2 GB in total.
How do I pay the 25,000 FCFA?
With Wave or Orange Money, directly on the course page, with immediate access. The Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 h online, 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.
