The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, the contracts that matter are increasingly negotiated in English: Ghanaian and Nigerian distributors, Gulf partners, international donors, AfCFTA tenders. A B1 level is enough to chat, but not to defend a price, write a proposal or hold a negotiation against a native speaker, and that is where margin points get lost. A focused 34-hour course at 100,000 FCFA moves you toward business B2, while the observed salary premium for bilingual profiles in Dakar sits between 15 and 30%, a 2026 ballpark.
Why business English pays in Dakar in 2026
The port, oil and gas, telecoms, business law firms, NGOs and companies exporting to the English-speaking subregion are looking for people who can sell and negotiate in English. The problem is usually not grammar but register: an email that is too blunt, a figure mispronounced, a concession given away too fast.
| Profile in Dakar | French-only salary (2026 estimate) | Bilingual salary (2026 estimate) | Observed gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B sales rep | 350,000 to 600,000 FCFA a month | 450,000 to 780,000 FCFA | 15 to 30% |
| Project manager | 600,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | 700,000 to 1,300,000 FCFA | 15 to 30% |
| In-house legal counsel | 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA | 600,000 to 1,150,000 FCFA | 20 to 28% |
| Export manager | 700,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | 850,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA | 20 to 25% |
| NGO program officer | 600,000 to 1,100,000 FCFA | 750,000 to 1,400,000 FCFA | 20 to 30% |
| Independent consultant | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA a day | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA a day | 30 to 50% |
These gaps depend on the sector and your network. No job or raise is guaranteed, but bilingualism is often what separates two candidates.
Comparing your options
The course Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents, taught in French, is level 4 Intermediate of the Professional English track. It has 8 modules, 40 lessons, 136 corrected exercises and 8 projects, about 34 hours, with listening material in varied accents (Ghanaian, Nigerian, British, American). The final portfolio, validated by a trainer, unlocks a verifiable certificate.
| Option in Dakar | 2026 price (estimate) | Volume | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | General English, no negotiation or documents |
| Private lessons at home | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA an hour | 34 h = 340,000 to 680,000 FCFA | Uneven quality, few business materials |
| Language institute, one term | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 30 to 48 h in a group | Fixed hours, group pace |
| Kolonell course, level 4 | 100,000 FCFA | 34 h, 8 projects | Requires B1 to start |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Beginner to expert | Long commitment |
| Language stay in Accra | 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA all-in | 2 to 4 weeks | Expensive, time away from work |
What you will be able to do
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
| Module | Skill | Portfolio deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Professional writing | Plain English, formal emails, follow-ups, complaints | Kit of 10 emails |
| Minutes and reports | Structure a memo, a two-page report | Short report |
| Business and finance vocabulary | Figures, percentages, currencies without mistakes | 250-term glossary |
| Presentation and pitch | Present an offer, handle questions | 10 slides and recorded pitch |
| Negotiation | Offer, counter-offer, concession, written confirmation | Negotiation plan |
| Tenders and contracts | Read a contract, answer a tender | Letter and proposal in English |
Mini case study
Aïssatou, 29, a sales rep at a distribution company in Dakar, earns 450,000 FCFA a month. Her company is opening a channel to Accra and needs a bilingual account manager. She takes the course (100,000 FCFA, 34 hours over 8 weeks, in the evenings). If she gets the role with a cautious 15% raise, 67,500 FCFA a month, the course pays back in under 7 weeks of salary. By comparison, 34 hours of private lessons at 15,000 FCFA would have cost her 510,000 FCFA. This scenario is illustrative and depends on the employer.
FAQ
What level do I need to start? A B1 level: holding a conversation and a simple meeting. Below that, start with level 3, Conversational English, of the track.
How much time per week? For 34 hours, plan 4 to 5 hours a week for 7 to 9 weeks. Lessons work on phone or computer, at your own pace.
Is the certificate recognized? Recruiters can verify it online, and it lists the skills acquired. It is not a TOEIC or IELTS, but the business portfolio that comes with it can be shown in interviews.
Is negotiation really practiced? Yes, with realistic costed cases: prices, payment terms, volumes. You write a negotiation plan and the written confirmation of the deal.
How do I pay? With Wave or Orange Money, 100,000 FCFA for the whole course, corrections and certificate.
Take the next step. Enroll in Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents: 34 h, 100,000 FCFA, certificate verifiable online, 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.
