The verdict in three sentences
To move from a local role to one facing Nigeria, Ghana or English-speaking donors, what you lack is rarely grammar: it is formal emails, numbers spoken aloud, negotiation and answering a tender. Kolonell Academy's Business English course covers exactly these situations in 22 hours for 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), provided you already have a B1 level; otherwise, start with level 3 (75,000 FCFA, 15 h). The salary gap often cited for a bilingual profile in Dakar is 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA a month depending on the role, but no job or income is guaranteed.
Why English opens up international trade from Dakar
Senegal trades every day with partners who work in English: distributors in Accra and Lagos, freight forwarders and shipping lines at the port of Dakar, suppliers in Dubai, UN agencies, the World Bank and the AfDB, which publish their tenders in English. A salesperson who can write a proposal to a Ghanaian distributor, or an assistant who can read an RFP and respond to it, moves into a different category within the company.
The table below links common career-change situations to the relevant modules. Salary gaps are those quoted on the course page: 2026 ballpark, depending on the profile, no income is guaranteed.
| Target situation | What you will be asked to do in English | Useful module | Possible salary gap (2026 ballpark) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesperson becoming an export sales rep | Proposal to a distributor, price negotiation | Modules 5, 6 and case 1 'distributor in Accra' | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA more per month depending on the role |
| Assistant joining an NGO or funded project | Minutes, short reports, executive summary | Module 3 and case 2 'donor' | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA depending on the organisation |
| Logistics officer at a freight forwarder | Formal emails, follow-ups, complaints, figures | Modules 2 and 4 | Varies by company |
| Consultant or SME owner | Reading a tender, writing the cover letter and proposal | Module 7 | Access to bigger markets, no guaranteed amount |
| Customer service for the diaspora | Handling an unhappy client, written apologies | Module 2 and case 3 'client in London' | Varies |
Module 8 brings together three complete business scenarios, from the first email to the meeting, then has you assemble your business file in English, proofread and ready to send.
What moving up a level costs
Your starting point sets the budget. The recommended course is Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents, taught in French: level 4 Intermediate, 100,000 FCFA, 22 h. Prerequisite: level 3 of the track (Conversational English) or a B1 equivalent, meaning you can hold a conversation and a simple meeting. You also need a computer with a word processor and presentation software (free Google Docs and Google Slides are enough).
| Your starting point | What to take | Total cost | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid B1, comfortable in a simple meeting | Level 4 Business English | 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR) | 22 h, i.e. 8 to 10 weeks at 2 to 3 h a week |
| Shaky B1, you still freeze when speaking | Level 3 Conversational English, then level 4 | 175,000 FCFA (about 267 EUR) | 15 h + 22 h = 37 h |
| Lower starting level, or aiming at management | Full Professional English track, 5 levels | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Level 1 to level 5 |
| Language school in Dakar | Fixed-time sessions | Ballpark 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA depending on volume | Depends on the school |
| Free apps | General vocabulary | 0 FCFA, plus data | No business writing, no tenders |
If you are torn between levels, the Professional English track bundles all 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. Module 1 of every course is free to read: it is the best placement test before you pay.
The format is simple: written lessons with vocabulary, a model (email, report, negotiation dialogue) set between Dakar, Abidjan, Accra, Lagos and the diaspora, explanations in French, exercises with answer keys, a PDF handout and a quiz per module, and eight projects to submit that make up your business file: a kit of 10 formal emails, a 250-term glossary, a 10-slide presentation with a three-minute pitch you record yourself, a negotiation plan, a tender response. No video and no live classes: everything is read, including on a phone over 3G.
Mini case study
Consider a hypothetical learner: Moussa, 31, a logistics officer at a freight forwarder in Dakar's port area. He understands English but still freezes in meetings. He takes level 3 then level 4, i.e. 175,000 FCFA and 37 hours, at 3 hours a week for about three months.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative calculation: if, once confident, Moussa landed a bilingual role paying 100,000 FCFA more per month (the low end of the quoted range), the cost would be covered in under two months. If the gap were zero in the first year, he would still have a business file in English he can reuse in interviews. This is a scenario, not a result: the job depends on the market, his network and his applications.
FAQ
How do I know if I have the required B1 level?
If you can hold a conversation and a simple meeting in English without constantly switching back to French, you are probably ready. Read the free module 1: if it feels too hard, level 3 (75,000 FCFA, 15 h) is the right entry point.
How long before I am operational?
Level 4 takes about 22 hours, including ten hours of lessons and eight projects. At 2 to 3 hours a week, allow 8 to 10 weeks; access is for life, so you can slow down without losing your payment.
Does the certificate replace TOEIC or IELTS?
No. The Kolonell Academy certificate is numbered, verifiable online via QR code and can be added to LinkedIn; you earn it by passing the module quizzes with at least 70%; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. It attests to a course completed; it is neither a diploma nor an official test.
Does the course prepare me to read a contract?
Module 7 teaches you to read the common clauses of a commercial contract (payment, delivery, liability, termination) and to spot what needs checking. For a binding contract, have it reviewed by a lawyer.
How do I pay and when can I start?
Pay by Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33; access is activated within 24 working hours. It is not refundable once activated, which is why you should read the free module 1 first.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents: 22 h, 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), numbered Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online. 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.
