The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, most digital freelancers sell one-off jobs at around 50,000 FCFA (a logo, a Facebook page, a visual) and start prospecting from scratch every month. The lever that changes income is not working more but packaging a monthly offer at 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA per client (about 230 to 610 EUR). A 40-hour course at 200,000 FCFA is justified if it helps you sign just one extra retainer.
One-off job or monthly retainer: the numbers
The Thiès market has hundreds of shops, private schools, clinics, hardware stores and restaurants that need a regular online presence but cannot afford a Dakar agency. It is ideal ground for a simple, readable retainer.
| Model | 2026 unit price | Clients needed for 1,000,000 FCFA/month | Monthly prospecting time | Income stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-off job (visual, logo) | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA | 20 to 40 sales | 30 to 50 h | Very low |
| One-time launch pack | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 5 to 10 sales | 20 to 30 h | Low |
| Monthly social media retainer | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 4 to 7 clients | 5 to 10 h | Good |
| Full monthly retainer (social, ads, reporting) | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 3 to 4 clients | 5 to 8 h | Very good |
| Retainer + performance commission | 150,000 FCFA + 3 to 5% | 4 to 6 clients | 8 to 12 h | Good, variable |
Simple reading: five recurring clients at 200,000 FCFA produce 1,000,000 FCFA a month (about 1,525 EUR) with sales time cut by four or five. These are 2026 orders of magnitude, to adjust to your specialty and production capacity.
Where to learn to build and sell this offer
Several options exist for an entrepreneur based in Thiès: incubation programmes in Dakar, free online courses, or a course focused on offer design and growth.
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | Offer and pricing focus | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paid incubator or programme in Dakar | 300,000 to 800,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 months | Medium, often fundraising-oriented | Thiès-Dakar travel, selection |
| Free online programmes (YouTube, MOOCs) | 0 FCFA | Variable | Low, non-African context | No structure, no follow-up |
| One-to-one coaching | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA per session | 6 to 10 sessions | Good | 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA in total |
| Kolonell Academy, Digital entrepreneur (level 5) | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR, about 330 USD) | 40 h online | Strong: offer, price, sales, growth | Self-discipline |
| Freelance and entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | From first client to structured offer | Longer |
The course Digital entrepreneur: building a profitable offer and growing it, taught in French, is level 5 of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track. It is for people who already have a few clients and want to move from irregular income to a managed business.
The four building blocks of an offer that holds
A profitable offer rests on a few concrete decisions, which the course has you work on using your own business:
- A precise target: for example private schools and institutes in Thiès, rather than "all SMEs".
- A promised, measurable result: 12 posts a month, a back-to-school campaign, a monthly leads report.
- A calculated price: cost of your time, tools (Canva Pro, scheduling, advertising), target margin of 40 to 60%.
- A simple contract: 3-month minimum commitment, monthly payment by Wave or Orange Money at the start of the month.
| Monthly cost item per client | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Production time (10 to 15 h at 7,000 FCFA/h) | 70,000 to 105,000 FCFA |
| Shared tools and subscriptions | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA |
| Travel and meetings in Thiès | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA |
| Contingencies and revisions | 10,000 FCFA |
| Total cost | 90,000 to 140,000 FCFA |
| Recommended selling price | 200,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Ousmane, 27, a freelance community manager in Thiès, averages 8 jobs at 45,000 FCFA a month, i.e. 360,000 FCFA, with constant prospecting. After structuring a "Digital presence for private schools" offer at 200,000 FCFA a month over 3 months, he signs 3 schools at the start of the academic year and keeps 2 one-off jobs.
New income: 3 × 200,000 + 2 × 45,000 = 690,000 FCFA a month (about 1,050 EUR), i.e. +330,000 FCFA. The 200,000 FCFA course is covered in under three weeks of extra income. This scenario is an illustration: the number of clients signed depends on your market and your prospecting.
FAQ
Do I need existing clients for this level?
It is better: level 5 assumes some sales experience. If you are starting from zero, the full track at 350,000 FCFA begins with freelance basics at level 1.
Is a 200,000 FCFA retainer realistic in Thiès?
Yes for established schools, clinics, hotels or shops, as a 2026 order of magnitude. For very small shops, an entry retainer of 75,000 to 100,000 FCFA fits better.
How long to finish the 40 hours?
At 5 hours a week, allow about 8 weeks. You can apply each module to your offer as you go.
How do I get paid every month without chasing?
The course recommends upfront payment on the 1st of the month by Wave or Orange Money, with a 3-month contract. Late payments drop sharply when service is paused beyond 7 days.
Can I pay for the course in instalments?
Ask on WhatsApp at +221 77 596 93 33. Level 5 enrolment is 200,000 FCFA, payable by Wave or Orange Money.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital entrepreneur: building a profitable offer and growing it: 40 hours online, 200,000 FCFA (305 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.
