The verdict in three sentences
Many freelancers and small agencies in Dakar bring in 500,000 FCFA or more a month and still never know what is left after costs, unpaid invoices and tax. Three habits change that: a 30 to 50% deposit before starting, a registered status (entreprenant or sole proprietorship) that opens the door to larger clients, and a cash reserve of three months of costs. The Kolonell course "Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow" teaches this system in 18 hours for 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), with ready-made templates.
The three money leaks of a Dakar freelancer
The first leak is unpaid invoices. A designer or developer who starts without a deposit finances the client for weeks, then chases payment through voice notes with no written due date. The second is tax discovered too late: an unregistered freelancer is shut out of big accounts, and one who registers without setting money aside hits a cash hole when the bill arrives. The third is mixed accounts: the same Wave number handles clients, rent and family, so no figure can be trusted.
| Practice | Without a method | With a method | Effect, 2026 ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting a job | Work begins on a verbal promise | 30 to 50% deposit when the quote is signed | Unpaid invoices cut by half or more |
| Invoicing | A WhatsApp message with an amount | Numbered invoice, legal mentions, due date | Faster payment, reassured client |
| Follow-up | Whenever, after several weeks | Reminders at D+3, D+10, D+20 | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA recovered per quarter on 500,000 FCFA monthly revenue |
| Accounts | One Wave number for everything | Separate business account, fixed salary paid to yourself | Real visibility on margin |
| Tax | Discovered at the deadline | A percentage set aside on every payment | No more bad surprises |
| Reserve | None | 3 months of costs set aside | Survive a slow month without borrowing |
Status, tax and accountant: what you need to decide
In Senegal, the entreprenant status under OHADA law lets you start simply, with a registry declaration and lighter bookkeeping duties. Beyond that, a sole proprietorship or a single-shareholder company (SUARL) becomes relevant, especially to bid on tenders. On the tax side, small businesses may fall under the contribution globale unique (CGU), a simplified tax subject to revenue ceilings set by the General Tax Code: check your situation with the DGID tax office or an accountant before choosing. The course also covers the equivalents in Côte d'Ivoire for those working with Abidjan clients.
| Support option | Cost, 2026 ballpark | What you get | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doing it alone with no method | 0 FCFA | Nothing structured | Unpaid invoices and possible tax reassessments |
| Free online videos | 0 FCFA, data aside | General notions, often French or European | Not adapted to Senegalese law |
| External accountant in Dakar | 30,000 to 80,000 FCFA per month | Bookkeeping and filings | Does not teach you to steer your cash flow |
| Kolonell Running your business course | 75,000 FCFA once | 18 h, quote, invoice and reminder templates, 12-month cash plan | Requires discipline |
| Full Freelance and entrepreneurship track | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | 5 levels, from first clients to running an agency | Commitment over several months |
The syllabus has six modules: choosing and registering your status in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire; compliant quotes, invoices and credit notes; freelancer taxes; getting paid fast and recovering unpaid invoices; steering cash flow and paying yourself a stable income; simple bookkeeping and a financial dashboard. The final project is your own 12-month financial system in Google Sheets. Details are on the page of the invoicing, tax and cash flow course for freelancers, level 3 of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track. The course is taught in French.
Mini case study
Aminata, 31, a freelance community manager in Dakar (Mermoz), bills an average of 650,000 FCFA a month to four clients. Her fixed costs (software subscriptions, data, coworking, transport) reach 220,000 FCFA. She has no reserve and loses about 180,000 FCFA a quarter to unpaid or late invoices.
After the course she requires a 40% deposit, sends reminders on fixed dates and sets aside 12% of every payment for tax (a prudent rate agreed with her accountant, not an official rate).
- Unpaid invoices recovered: about 120,000 FCFA per quarter out of 180,000 FCFA
- Target reserve: 3 x 220,000 = 660,000 FCFA, built in 8 months by saving 82,500 FCFA a month
- Payback: the 75,000 FCFA course is recovered in under three months from reminders alone
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
This calculation is illustrative and depends on your clients; the course guarantees no income.
FAQ
Will a 40% deposit scare clients away?
Serious clients usually accept 30 to 50% upfront when the quote is clear and dated. Those who refuse any deposit tend to be the ones who pay late, which often costs more than the lost job.
Do I have to set up a company?
No. The entreprenant status is enough to start and invoice legally. The course helps you decide at what revenue level or client type a sole proprietorship or SUARL becomes the better choice.
How much does an accountant cost in Dakar?
As a 2026 ballpark, 30,000 to 80,000 FCFA a month depending on volume. The course does not replace the accountant, it lets you hand over clean figures and steer your cash between filings.
How long does the course take?
It runs 18 hours, which you can spread over three to four weeks. You need to be comfortable entering rows and sums in Google Sheets, with no prior accounting knowledge.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money, 75,000 FCFA for this level. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow: 18 hours, 75,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy 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.
