The verdict in three sentences
In Bamako, gold mines, banks and NGOs increasingly work with partners from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and international donors who write and negotiate in English. Managers who can draft a report, present an offer and negotiate prices and deadlines in English are typically paid 20 to 40% more than equivalent French-only profiles. If you already have a B1 level, a course focused on business situations pays back much faster than general conversation classes.
Where English makes the difference for a manager in Bamako
| Sector | Situation in English | Typical stake (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining | Meetings with South African or Australian contractors | Service contracts worth several hundred million FCFA |
| Banking and microfinance | Reports for donors and credit lines | Lines of 1 to 10 billion FCFA |
| NGOs and agencies | Quarterly activity reports, project proposals | Projects of 50 to 500 million FCFA |
| Trade and distribution | Negotiating with Ghanaian and Nigerian distributors | 2 to 5% discount on annual volume |
| Consulting | Answering World Bank, AfDB, United Nations tenders | Assignments of 10 to 80 million FCFA |
In these situations, what costs money is not grand phrasing but an ambiguous email, a misstated figure or a concession made too early.
What learning costs, and what it earns
| Option | Cost (FCFA, 2026) | Duration | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps and YouTube | 0 | Unlimited | General vocabulary, no business documents |
| Private lessons in Bamako | 15,000 to 25,000 an hour, i.e. 510,000 to 850,000 for 34 h | Depends on pace | Quality varies with the teacher |
| Language school, group session | 150,000 to 400,000 | 2 to 3 months | General English, little negotiation |
| Kolonell "Business English", level 4 | 100,000 (about 152 EUR) | 34 h, 8 modules | 8 projects, full business portfolio, certificate |
| Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 instead of 450,000 | Beginner to leadership | Complete progression |
On the earnings side, a bilingual manager in Dakar or Abidjan typically earns 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA more per month than an equivalent French-only profile, and gaps seen in Bamako are of the same order (2026 estimate, depending on sector and network; the course guarantees neither a job nor an income).
What the course covers
The course Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents is level 4 of the Professional English track, taught in French. It is designed for B1 learners who now need to sell, present and negotiate.
| Module | What you produce |
|---|---|
| Writing professional English | A text rewritten in Plain English |
| Formal and semi-formal emails | A kit of 10 emails: follow-up, payment reminder, complaint, apology |
| Reports, memos and minutes | Meeting minutes and a two-page report |
| Business, finance and marketing vocabulary | A 250-term glossary |
| Presentations and pitches | A sales presentation ready to deliver |
| Negotiating and arguing | A negotiation plan on price, deadlines and terms |
| Commercial and technical documents | Reading a contract or a specification |
| Role plays | A tender response in English |
Mini case study
Aminata, 34, purchasing manager at a mining company in Bamako, negotiates a 120,000,000 FCFA supply contract with a Ghanaian supplier every quarter. Until now, an English-speaking colleague led the discussion for her. After the course she prepares a written negotiation plan, runs the video call herself and secures a 2% discount instead of 1%, an extra 1,200,000 FCFA saved per quarter for her employer. At her annual review she asks to take on the international purchasing manager role, with a raise of 150,000 FCFA a month. For her, the 100,000 FCFA course pays back in under a month (order of magnitude; results depend on the employer).
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
What level do I need to start?
A B1 level: holding a conversation and a simple meeting. If you are below that, start with level 3, Conversational English, in the same track.
How much time should I plan?
The course has 34 hours across 8 modules. At 4 hours a week, plan for 8 to 9 weeks, compatible with a management job.
Why not private lessons?
At 15,000 to 25,000 FCFA an hour, 34 hours cost 510,000 to 850,000 FCFA. They remain useful alongside for speaking practice, but the course provides the method and document templates for 100,000 FCFA.
Can my employer pay?
Yes, many companies and NGOs fund this kind of training. The certificate and the 8 projects serve as proof.
How do I pay for enrolment?
Payment by Wave or Orange Money, 100,000 FCFA. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents: 34 hours, 8 modules and 8 projects, 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.
