The verdict in three sentences
In Mbour and Saly, English-speaking visitors (British, Nigerian, Ghanaian, American, Scandinavian) increasingly book through platforms and pick the driver or guide who can welcome them, quote a price and suggest an excursion in their language. 2026 benchmarks on the Petite-Côte show tips and excursion sales 30 to 50% higher for a professional with basic English. Kolonell Academy's Beginner English course (level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA, 13 h, explained in French) gives those foundations without leaving work.
What English changes over a working day
A Petite-Côte driver typically handles transfers between AIBD airport, Saly, Somone, Mbour and the Sine-Saloum delta. Without English, he drives, gets paid and leaves. With 300 words and a few solid sentences, he presents the itinerary, suggests a visit to the Bandia reserve or a pirogue trip, and keeps the client's contact for the rest of the stay.
| Service on the Petite-Côte | Average 2026 price | Driver without English | Driver with basic English |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIBD to Saly transfer | 25,000 to 35,000 FCFA | Ride only | Ride + 2,000 to 5,000 FCFA tip |
| Bandia reserve excursion (half day) | 30,000 to 45,000 FCFA | Rarely offered to English speakers | Sold directly to the client |
| Sine-Saloum day with pirogue | 60,000 to 90,000 FCFA | Goes through a middleman, 20 to 30% commission | Sold directly |
| Gorée Island trip from Saly | 50,000 to 70,000 FCFA | Rarely requested | Offered at the end of the stay |
| Full-day hire with driver | 40,000 to 60,000 FCFA | Mostly French-speaking clients | Wider client base |
| Referrals and online reviews | Variable | Few English reviews | Reviews that bring more bookings |
These figures are 2026 orders of magnitude for the tourist area. They vary with the season: the November to April high season brings in most of the income.
Options for learning English in Mbour
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Schedule constraint | Fit for a driver's job? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening classes at an institute in Mbour or Thiès | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per month, over 3 to 6 months | Fixed sessions, often clashing with late transfers | Medium, school-style syllabus |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 8,000 FCFA per hour | Depends on availability | Good, but 65,000 to 100,000 FCFA for 13 h |
| Free apps (Duolingo, etc.) | 0 FCFA, plus data | Flexible | Weak for professional speaking |
| YouTube videos | 0 FCFA, plus 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA of data per month | Flexible | Scattered content, no progression |
| Kolonell Academy's Beginner English course | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) once | Online, between two rides | Good: introduce yourself, understand, be understood |
The course is explained in French, so learners do not get stuck from lesson one. It is level 1 of the Professional English track, which goes all the way to meeting and negotiation English. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA level by level.
What the 13 hours cover
| Block | What you can do afterwards | Example behind the wheel |
|---|---|---|
| English sounds | Pronounce without being misunderstood | « Welcome to Senegal, I am your driver » |
| Introducing yourself | A one-minute introduction, without reading | Name, experience, areas served |
| Numbers and time | Quote a price, a time, a duration | « The trip takes forty minutes » |
| Asking and understanding questions | Ask about the hotel, flight, preferences | « Which hotel are you staying at? » |
| The 300 useful words | Everyday and service vocabulary | Road, luggage, beach, restaurant |
| Making yourself understood | Rephrase, ask someone to repeat | « Sorry, can you say that again? » |
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 34, a self-employed driver in Mbour, does about 20 AIBD to Saly transfers a month in high season at 30,000 FCFA, a third of them for English-speaking clients. Today, those 7 clients leave without booking anything else.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
After the course (25,000 FCFA, paid with Orange Money), he systematically suggests an excursion. If 2 of the 7 English-speaking clients book a half day at Bandia for 35,000 FCFA, and tips rise by 3,000 FCFA across the 7 rides, the monthly gain reaches about 70,000 + 21,000 = 91,000 FCFA, as an order of magnitude. The course pays for itself with the first excursion sold, within one to two weeks of high season. This scenario remains an estimate: the result depends on client volume and regular practice.
FAQ
I never studied English at school. Is it possible?
Yes, level 1 starts from zero and every explanation is in French. Plan for 13 h of guided work, for example 30 minutes a day over 4 weeks.
Can I follow the course on my phone between rides?
The lessons are online and work on a smartphone. A 4G connection and a 2,000 to 3,000 FCFA weekly data bundle are enough for the videos and audio exercises.
Is it enough to guide a full tour?
Level 1 lets you welcome clients, quote a price and hold a simple conversation. To commentate a 2-hour tour, the next levels of the track are a better fit.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money, in one go: 25,000 FCFA for this level. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Is there a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end. You can show it to a travel agency or a Saly hotel hiring drivers and guides in 2026.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 h online, explained in French, 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.
