The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, an assistant, salesperson or customer service officer who can answer an email and handle a call in English clearly stands out in NGOs, multinationals, tourism and digital. A targeted 12-hour online course at 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) costs less than one institute session and focuses on office English, with no unnecessary grammar. The realistic goal is to send your first email without a translator and handle your first call by week three, then move towards a better-paid bilingual role.
Options to learn business English in Dakar in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | What you get | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps | 0 to 8,000 FCFA/month | Unlimited | General vocabulary | Few professional emails and calls |
| Private lessons | About 10,000 FCFA/h | 20 h, i.e. 200,000 FCFA | Individual follow-up | High cost, variable quality |
| In-person institute (Plateau, Point E, Mermoz) | 120,000 to 250,000 FCFA per session | 6 to 12 weeks | Group classes, placement test | Traffic jams, evening hours |
| International test preparation | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA + exam fees | 2 to 3 months | Recognised score | Exam-oriented, not office-oriented |
| Kolonell Academy, Office English | 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) | 12 h, online | Email templates, call scripts, certificate | Requires A1 basics |
The Office English course: emails, phone and daily exchanges, taught with French explanations, is level 2 of the track, beginner, 50,000 FCFA. It is for people who already have basics (A1 level) and now receive emails, calls or visitors in English. It belongs to the Business English track, which goes from the first "Hello" to business English in five levels; the full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What you will be able to do, module by module
| Module | Work situation | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduce yourself and your company | Welcoming a partner, meetings | Smooth 1-minute introduction |
| 2. Office vocabulary | Tasks, schedules, documents, deadlines | 300 useful everyday words |
| 3. Understand and write emails | Request, follow-up, confirmation, complaint | Clear 5 to 8 line email in 10 minutes |
| 4. Phone, video calls and messages | Answering, transferring, taking a message, Teams and Zoom | Call handled to the end without panic |
| 5. Questions, requests and exchanges | English-speaking colleagues and clients | Rephrase, ask to repeat, wrap up |
Each module provides ready-to-use templates: opening and closing phrases, sentences to ask for more time, a script to take a message while your manager is away.
English and salaries in Dakar
| Role in Dakar | Indicative 2026 monolingual salary | Indicative 2026 bilingual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative assistant | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 200,000 to 320,000 FCFA (about 305 to 490 EUR) |
| Customer service, call centre | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 160,000 to 260,000 FCFA |
| B2B salesperson | 200,000 to 350,000 FCFA + bonuses | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA + bonuses |
| Hotel receptionist | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 230,000 FCFA |
| NGO executive assistant | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 320,000 to 520,000 FCFA |
The observed gap is around 15 to 30 % depending on the sector. These are estimates: salary also depends on experience, employer and negotiation.
Mini case study
Ndèye, 28, an assistant at a freight forwarding company at the port of Dakar, receives emails from Ghanaian and Nigerian suppliers every week and translates them with an online tool, which takes her about 3 hours. She takes the 50,000 FCFA course, paid with Wave, over 4 weeks.
- Time saved: 2 hours a week from the second month.
- Six months later, she applies for a bilingual assistant job at a competing forwarder: 260,000 FCFA a month instead of 210,000 FCFA.
- Gain: 50,000 FCFA a month, so the course is paid back in 4 weeks of salary.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative case: career progress also depends on regular practice after the course.
FAQ
I have not spoken English since high school, is that enough?
If you understand simple sentences (A1 level), yes. Otherwise, level 1 of the track covers the basics, and the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
How long does it take to finish the 12 hours?
At 3 hours a week, 4 weeks are enough. Plan 10 to 15 minutes of daily practice on top to retain the vocabulary.
Does the course replace a test like TOEIC?
No, it issues a Kolonell Academy training certificate, not an official score. It does, however, prepare you for situations tested in interviews, such as writing an email in 15 minutes.
Can I follow the course on a phone?
Yes, lessons, audio and templates work on a smartphone. A 5,000 FCFA headset helps with listening exercises in a noisy office.
How do I pay for the course?
With Wave or Orange Money, in one go, with no bank card. The 50,000 FCFA covers the 5 modules, the templates and the certificate.
Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges: 12 h online, explanations in French, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), Kolonell Academy 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.
