The verdict in three sentences
If you are already around B2 level and need to chair meetings, correct a team member or negotiate in English, you need leadership English, not yet another grammar course. In Dakar, an in-person language institute charges 350,000 to 900,000 FCFA (EUR 535 to 1,370) at this level, versus 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305, about USD 330) for Kolonell Academy's online Expert English course, level 5 Pro Track. It pays off: the bilingual pay premium is, as a 2026 estimate, 15 to 30%, and NGO or international organisation roles pay 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA a month (EUR 1,830 to 3,810).
Why managerial English is different
A bank manager in the Plateau district, an NGO project lead in Mermoz or a mining engineer in Dakar often reads and writes English well. The block shows up elsewhere: on a video call with Nairobi, London or Accra, someone else takes the lead; difficult feedback comes out too blunt or too vague; a technical report takes three times longer than in French.
Leadership English trains those exact situations: chairing a multi-country meeting, writing for a global audience, public speaking, leading a team, giving feedback, handling conflict, negotiating, and mastering your sector's vocabulary (finance, development, telecoms, mining).
| 2026 option in Dakar | Price | Format | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos and apps | 0 FCFA | Self-study | General vocabulary, no management practice |
| International online certificate | 30,000 to 80,000 FCFA (EUR 45 to 120) | Video, general English | A badge, rarely adapted to the African context |
| Kolonell, Expert English (level 5) | 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305) | Online, 57 h, taught in French | Leadership, management, technical English, certificate |
| In-person institute, group session | 350,000 to 600,000 FCFA (EUR 535 to 915) | Evenings or Saturdays, 2 to 3 months | Speaking practice, rigid schedule |
| One-to-one in-person coaching | 600,000 to 900,000 FCFA (EUR 915 to 1,370) | 20 to 30 sessions | Tailored, high budget |
What managerial English is worth in Dakar
The figures below are 2026 estimates for the Dakar market. They vary by sector, experience and employer, and no course guarantees a job.
| Role in Dakar | Monthly salary without working English | Monthly salary with working English |
|---|---|---|
| Project manager, local SME | 600,000 to 900,000 FCFA | 700,000 to 1,100,000 FCFA |
| Bank branch manager | 900,000 to 1,300,000 FCFA | 1,050,000 to 1,600,000 FCFA |
| NGO programme officer | Limited access | 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA (EUR 1,830 to 2,745) |
| International organisation project coordinator | Limited access | 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA (EUR 2,745 to 3,810) |
| Senior engineer, mining | 1,200,000 to 1,700,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 to 2,200,000 FCFA |
| Telecoms manager, regional team | 1,000,000 to 1,400,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA |
The Expert English course: leadership, management and technical English, taught in French, has 10 modules: cultural differences, international calls and meetings, writing for a global audience, public speaking, leading a team, feedback, conflict, strategic negotiation, technical English for your sector, then certification and a progression plan. It targets B2 learners; if you start lower, begin earlier in the Professional English track. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about EUR 535 instead of EUR 685).
Mini case study
Ndèye, 34, a team leader at a bank in Dakar, earns 950,000 FCFA a month. She is aiming for a regional coordinator role that requires chairing meetings in English.
- Level 5 course cost: 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305), paid with Wave.
- Time: 57 h, about 5 h a week for 11 to 12 weeks, in the evenings.
- Cautious assumption: a 15% raise when she takes the role, 142,500 FCFA more per month.
- Payback: 200,000 / 142,500 = under 6 weeks of extra salary.
- Comparison: in-person coaching at 750,000 FCFA would take more than 5 months to pay back.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
How much does business English training for managers cost in Dakar in 2026?
From 350,000 to 900,000 FCFA (EUR 535 to 1,370) at an in-person institute or with a coach. The Kolonell Expert English online course, level 5, costs 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305) for 57 h of content.
What level do I need for level 5?
B2: you follow a meeting and write an email without help. Below that, the Professional English track starts earlier, and all 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Is the course taught in French?
Yes, explanations are in French and role plays are in English. That works better for a French-speaking manager who needs to grasp cultural nuances before practising.
How soon will I see results at work?
Allow 8 to 12 weeks at 5 h a week. The meetings and feedback modules apply from the first week on the job.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued once the quizzes are passed. It complements, without replacing, official tests such as TOEIC or IELTS, often required by international organisations.
Take the next step. Enroll in Expert English: leadership, management and technical English: 57 h online, level 5 Pro Track, 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305), with a 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.
