The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, most designers, videographers, trainers and tourism service providers live on one-off jobs, with 900,000 FCFA months followed by 150,000 FCFA months. The way out of this roller coaster is a productized flagship offer plus a share of recurring revenue (monthly retainers of 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA), managed with real unit economics. The course Digital entrepreneur: building a profitable offer and growing it, taught in French, delivers this method in 47 hours for 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), payable with Wave or Orange Money.
Why job-by-job work hits a ceiling in Saint-Louis
The Saint-Louis market is real but narrow: hotels and lodges on the island and the Langue de Barbarie, jazz festival organisers, private schools, river-related NGOs, agri-food SMEs in the valley. Each client buys little, irregularly, and compares quotes. The result: you spend 30 to 40% of your time prospecting, chasing and rewriting quotes instead of producing.
| Revenue model (2026 order of magnitude) | Typical monthly revenue | Regularity | Sales time |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-off jobs | 150,000 to 900,000 FCFA | Highly variable | 30 to 40% of time |
| Packaged 3-tier offer | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | Medium | 20 to 25% |
| Monthly retainers (4 to 8 clients) | 200,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | Strong | 10 to 15% |
| Digital product (templates, mini-courses) | 30,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Variable but no time spent | Low once created |
| Mix of flagship + recurring + product | 600,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA | Strong | 15 to 20% |
The course sets a clear target: aim for 50% recurring revenue over time. A videographer who signs six hotels at 75,000 FCFA a month for four short videos secures 450,000 FCFA before prospecting at all.
Training options and their real cost
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | Generic advice, rarely adapted to the Senegalese market |
| International online certificates | 25,000 to 90,000 FCFA | 10 to 30 h | Marketing theory, dollar pricing, US examples |
| One-to-one business coach | 300,000 to 800,000 FCFA | 6 to 12 sessions | Tailored support, very uneven quality |
| In-person seminar in Dakar | 150,000 to 350,000 FCFA + travel | 2 to 3 days | Networking, little hands-on practice |
| Kolonell Academy, level 5 | 200,000 FCFA | 47 h | Flagship offer, unit economics, recurring revenue, acquisition, OHADA, 24-month plan, verifiable certificate |
The programme runs through ten practical modules: business model diagnosis, flagship offer design, margin and acquisition cost, recurring revenue, digital products, acquisition system, key accounts and public tenders, OHADA structuring and financing, delegation, then a 24-month growth plan. It is the final level of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track: the full five-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What changes in your week
| Indicator | Before | After implementation (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of different offers | 8 to 15 "à la carte" services | 1 flagship offer in 3 tiers |
| Average deal size | 60,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
| Recurring share | 0 to 10% | 30 to 50% |
| Quotes written per month | 12 to 20 | 4 to 8 |
| Net margin per job | Unknown | Calculated, target 40% or more |
| Cash visibility | 2 weeks | 3 to 6 months |
Mini case study
Moussa, 31, a freelance designer and videographer in Saint-Louis, invoices an average of 450,000 FCFA a month from isolated jobs. After the course, he creates a "Monthly presence" offer at 90,000 FCFA (8 visuals and 2 short videos) and sells it to 5 hotels and restaurants on the island within four months: 450,000 FCFA recurring. He keeps one-off jobs for about 300,000 FCFA, for revenue of 750,000 FCFA. Monthly gain: 300,000 FCFA. The 200,000 FCFA course pays for itself in under three weeks of this new rhythm, not counting the cash visibility gained. These figures are a 2026 order of magnitude, not a promised result.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need existing clients to take this level 5 course?
Yes, it is an advanced level designed for freelancers or founders who already invoice, ideally 300,000 FCFA a month or more. If you are starting out, begin with levels 1 and 2 of the track, at 25,000 and 50,000 FCFA.
How much time should I plan each week?
The 47 hours fit well over 8 to 10 weeks at 5 to 6 hours a week. Each module produces a deliverable you can use immediately: price grid, margin calculation, acquisition plan.
Is a recurring offer realistic in Saint-Louis?
Yes for hotels, restaurants, schools and NGOs that publish every week: a retainer of 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA often costs them less than a dedicated employee paid 150,000 FCFA. The dedicated module shows how to pitch it and put it under contract.
Does the course cover formalisation and financing?
Yes, one module covers choosing an OHADA structure (sole proprietorship, SUARL, SARL) and financing options. It helps you decide at what revenue level, often around 10 to 15 million FCFA a year, a sturdier structure makes sense.
How do I pay and get the certificate?
The 200,000 FCFA fee is paid with Wave or Orange Money. The verifiable certificate is issued once quizzes and exercises are validated.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital entrepreneur: building a profitable offer and growing it: 47 hours, 200,000 FCFA, verifiable 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.
