The verdict in three sentences
In Abidjan, sales reps and project managers who work with Accra, Lagos or European partners often speak decent English, but their emails sound approximate and they lose ground as soon as a negotiation speeds up on video. This level is built with real documents and role plays, not isolated vocabulary. For 100,000 FCFA and 34 hours, a targeted course covers emails, reports, pitch, negotiation and tender responses, while a Plateau institute charges 400,000 to 800,000 FCFA.
Business English options in Abidjan in 2026
| Option | 2026 price (order of magnitude) | Length | Focus | Concrete result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Business English course | 100,000 FCFA | 34 h online, 8 projects | Written and spoken business, negotiation, tenders | Complete business file in English |
| Institute program (Plateau, Cocody) | 400,000 to 800,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 months | General and professional English | Level validated by the institute |
| One-to-one coaching | 15,000 to 25,000 FCFA per hour | 20 h = 300,000 to 500,000 FCFA | Tailored | Depends on the coach |
| TOEIC or equivalent prep | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA + exam | 1 to 2 months | Test, little production | Official score |
| Online platforms in English | 0 to 60,000 FCFA | Varies | General | No support in French |
| Podcasts and YouTube | 0 FCFA, excluding data | Unlimited | Listening | No correction |
The course Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents, taught in French, is level 4 Intermediate of the Professional English track. It assumes basic English and targets one deliverable: your complete business file (emails, report, pitch, negotiation, tender response) ready for a real client.
The program and its value on the Ivorian market
| Module | What you produce | Situation in Abidjan |
|---|---|---|
| Writing professional English | Clear sentences, correct tenses | Follow-ups to an Accra distributor |
| Formal and semi-formal emails | Reusable templates | Price offer to a Lagos client |
| Reports, memos and minutes | Short structured report | Minutes for an international donor |
| Business, finance and marketing vocabulary | Glossary for your sector | Reading a balance sheet or marketing plan |
| Sales presentations and pitches | 5-minute pitch | Demo to a European partner |
| Negotiating, arguing, defending ideas | Negotiation script | Price and deadline discussion on video |
| Commercial and technical documents | Fast reading of a contract or specification | Tender from a regional organization |
| Business role plays | 8 complete projects | Cases inspired by real deals |
On pay, here are 2026 orders of magnitude for profiles in Abidjan.
| Job | Monthly salary, French only | Working bilingual profile | Estimated gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B sales rep | 300,000 to 500,000 FCFA | 400,000 to 650,000 FCFA | +15 to 30% |
| Project manager | 500,000 to 800,000 FCFA | 600,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | +15 to 25% |
| Export or purchasing manager | 450,000 to 700,000 FCFA | 550,000 to 900,000 FCFA | +20 to 30% |
| NGO program officer | 600,000 to 900,000 FCFA | 750,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | +20 to 30% |
| Independent consultant | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA per day | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per day | Access to regional assignments |
These figures vary by company and experience; they are not a promise. The most direct lever remains access to clients and tenders written in English, out of reach without this level.
Where this level fits in the track
The Professional English track has five levels: beginner English (25,000 FCFA), emails and phone (50,000 FCFA), professional conversation (75,000 FCFA), business English (100,000 FCFA) and leadership in English (200,000 FCFA). The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA. If you are unsure of your level, try writing a ten-line follow-up email in English: if you get stuck, start at level 2 or 3.
Mini case study
Yao, 33, a sales rep at an equipment distribution company in Abidjan, earns 420,000 FCFA a month. His company wants to sell in Ghana, but a bilingual colleague handles the meetings.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Investment: 100,000 FCFA and 34 hours over eight weeks, about 4 hours a week.
- During the course he prepares a pitch and a price offer for an Accra distributor.
- Six months later, he takes over the Ghana portfolio with a bonus of 50,000 FCFA a month.
The course pays back in two months of bonus, and over a year the gain reaches 600,000 FCFA. This is a worked example: the bonus depends on company policy.
FAQ
What level do I need to start?
Basic English: you understand a simple email and can hold a slow conversation. Otherwise, levels 2 (50,000 FCFA) and 3 (75,000 FCFA) prepare you for this one.
Does the course prepare for English-language tenders?
Yes, one module covers reading commercial and technical documents, and one of the 8 projects is writing a tender response.
How much time per week?
At 4 hours a week, count eight to nine weeks for the 34 hours and the projects.
Can my employer pay for the course?
Yes, many Abidjan companies fund this kind of training. The certificate and the file you produce make the request to HR easier.
How do I pay?
By Wave or Orange Money, 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR) in one go.
Take the next step. Enroll in Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents: 34 hours, 8 projects, level 4 Intermediate, 100,000 FCFA, 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.
