The verdict in three sentences
If you are over 25 and the computer intimidates you, the first useful step in Thiès costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR / 44 USD) and takes 9 hours of guided work. Office job ads, administrative procedures and suppliers now run on email: roughly 80% of secretarial, reception or data-entry ads require it, as a 2026 order of magnitude. The course Get to grips with your computer, files and email, taught in French, gives you that foundation at your own pace, payable with Wave or Orange Money.
Who it is for in Thiès, and why now
Thiès has many adults who already work but never learned the computer properly: traders at the central market who receive invoices by email, secretaries retraining after years of paper ledgers, young graduates who did everything on their phone. A phone is enough for WhatsApp, not for filling in a recruitment form, attaching a PDF CV or finding a quote sent three months ago.
| Common situation in Thiès | Without the basics | After the course |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a CV to a recruiter | Blurry photo sent on WhatsApp | PDF named "CV-Ndiaye-2026" attached to an email with a clear subject |
| Finding a supplier invoice | 10 to 20 minutes in "Downloads" | Under a minute in a dated folder |
| Typing a letter with accents | Missing accents, wrong capitals | AZERTY keyboard mastered, É and Ç included |
| Backing up documents | Everything on a single USB stick | Automatic copy on Google Drive or OneDrive |
| Applying for a job online | Giving up at the form | Complete application in 15 minutes |
| Saving time every day | Mouse for everything | About twenty keyboard shortcuts |
How much does a beginner computer course cost in Thiès in 2026
Three options exist for an adult beginner. Prices below are 2026 orders of magnitude for Thiès and its region.
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 Essential | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 9 h, self-paced | Course in French, exercises, verifiable certificate |
| Local training centre (Thiès) | 40,000 to 75,000 FCFA | 2 to 6 weeks, fixed hours | Equipped room, on-site trainer |
| Private lessons at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | Variable | Personal follow-up, high total cost |
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Unlimited | No logical order, no correction |
| Full Office Productivity track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | Up to executive assistant level |
The Kolonell course is level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA, of the Office and productivity track. It runs on a Windows 11 computer, including second-hand (a refurbished laptop costs around 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA in Thiès), and every module can be replayed as often as needed.
What you learn, module by module
| Module | Concrete skills | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Your workstation under control | Windows, taskbar, search, useful Windows 11 settings | 2 h |
| Files, folders and backup | Clear folder tree, dated naming, Google Drive or OneDrive | 2 h 30 |
| A professional mailbox | Subject line, attachment, signature, filing emails | 2 h 30 |
| Keyboard shortcuts and organisation | About twenty shortcuts, daily routine | 2 h |
By the end, you type fast on an AZERTY keyboard with accents, file documents without losing them and write an email that a recruiter or client takes seriously. The course does not give you a job on its own: it is the foundation required for most office positions.
Mini case study
Fatou, 31, a former shop assistant in Thiès, is aiming for a receptionist job at a clinic. At the interview she is asked to send a document by email from the front desk computer. She completes the course in three weeks, three hours a week.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Cost: 25,000 FCFA, paid with Wave.
- Target salary: a reception or data-entry job usually starts between 100,000 and 180,000 FCFA gross per month in 2026 (order of magnitude, no hiring guarantee).
- On a first salary of 110,000 FCFA, the course represents about 23% of one month, roughly one week of work.
Even without changing jobs, if Fatou saves 30 minutes a day looking for files, that adds up to more than 10 hours recovered per month.
FAQ
I have never touched a computer, is it too hard for me?
No, level 1 starts from zero: switching on, opening a window, using the mouse. The 9 hours are split into short lessons you can repeat as many times as needed.
Do I need to own a computer?
Yes, to practise, a Windows 11 computer is recommended. A second-hand laptop costs about 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA in Thiès in 2026, and some learners practise in a cybercafé at 300 to 500 FCFA per hour.
What is the difference with a training centre in Thiès?
A centre charges 40,000 to 75,000 FCFA with fixed hours and a trainer on site. The Kolonell course costs 25,000 FCFA, can be followed in the evening or at weekends, and you keep access to revise.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, a certificate verifiable online is issued at the end of the course. You can add it to your CV as "office skills: Windows 11, files, professional email".
How do I pay from Thiès?
Payment is by Wave or Orange Money, in one go, 25,000 FCFA. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA (about 534 EUR) instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Get to grips with your computer, files and email: 9 hours, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR / 44 USD), verifiable 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.