The verdict in three sentences
In Ziguinchor, many graphic designers, writers, video editors and young graduates have a real skill but no paying client, for lack of a method to present themselves, set a price and follow up. First clients usually come from your local and regional network, before international platforms that take a 10 to 20% commission. The Level 1 Essential course at 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR / 41 USD, 6 h) gives you a 30-day plan with one clear goal: 3 clients.
What clients pay in Casamance and remotely
Ziguinchor has hotels and tourist camps (Cap Skirring, Oussouye), NGOs and development projects, shops, private schools and cultural associations. All of them need posters, logos, copy, short videos and social media pages. And thanks to the internet, a Ziguinchor freelancer can also serve clients in Dakar or in the diaspora.
| Typical job (2026 order of magnitude) | Local client in Ziguinchor | Client in Dakar or diaspora |
|---|---|---|
| Simple logo with 2 proposals | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA (38 to 76 EUR) | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA (76 to 152 EUR) |
| Event poster or flyer | 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA (15 to 38 EUR) | 20,000 to 40,000 FCFA (30 to 61 EUR) |
| Writing a web page or article | 15,000 to 35,000 FCFA (23 to 53 EUR) | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA (38 to 91 EUR) |
| 60-second social video edit | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA (38 to 91 EUR) | 40,000 to 100,000 FCFA (61 to 152 EUR) |
| Pack of 10 social media visuals | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA (46 to 91 EUR) | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA (76 to 152 EUR) |
| Report or presentation for an NGO | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA (76 to 152 EUR) | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA (114 to 229 EUR) |
Three first jobs at 40,000 FCFA add up to 120,000 FCFA (183 EUR), almost five times the course price.
Platforms, direct network or training: compare before you start
| Channel | Cost to you | Average time to 1st job | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| International platforms (Fiverr, Upwork, Malt) | 10 to 20% commission | 1 to 3 months | Strong global competition, foreign-currency withdrawals |
| Local Facebook and WhatsApp groups | 0 FCFA | 1 to 4 weeks | Clients who negotiate hard |
| Direct outreach (hotels, NGOs, shops) | Transport, 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 weeks | Needs a clean portfolio |
| Word of mouth after a first job | 0 FCFA | Variable | Depends on the quality delivered |
| Kolonell Level 1 course | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), one-off | 30-day plan | 6 h of training then daily action |
| Full freelancing and entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (534 EUR instead of 686) | 5 levels | Up to running a small agency |
The course Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days, taught in French, teaches you to define a clear offer, build a portfolio from scratch, set your rates in FCFA, write a prospecting message, follow up without being pushy, and get paid by Wave or Orange Money with a deposit. It opens the Freelancing and entrepreneurship track, which then covers invoicing, taxes and growing an agency.
The 30-day plan
| Period | Action | Numeric goal |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | Complete the 6 h course, pick a single offer | 1 offer written in 3 lines |
| Days 4 to 7 | Create 3 portfolio pieces (mock or for someone you know) | 3 examples to show |
| Days 8 to 15 | Contact 30 prospects (hotels, NGOs, shops, Dakar contacts) | 6 to 8 replies |
| Days 16 to 22 | Send quotes and follow up on day 3 | 1 to 2 jobs signed |
| Days 23 to 30 | Deliver, ask for a review and a referral | 3 clients, 1 testimonial |
Mini case study
Mariama, 25, a communication graduate from Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor, knows Canva and CapCut but has never invoiced anyone. She takes the 25,000 FCFA course, paid with Wave, and picks a single offer: "short videos for hotels and camps". She contacts 30 establishments between Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring. By day 30 she has 3 clients: a camp at 40,000 FCFA, a hotel at 60,000 FCFA and an association at 30,000 FCFA, for 130,000 FCFA (about 198 EUR). After 10,000 FCFA of transport and data, she keeps 120,000 FCFA: the course pays for itself with the first job. Illustrative scenario, no guaranteed result.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
What skill do I need before taking the course?
A basic skill is enough: design, writing, video editing, social media management or data entry. The 6-hour course does not teach the technical craft, it teaches you how to find and keep clients.
Should I start on Fiverr or locally?
For the first 3 clients, local work and your network are often faster: 1 to 4 weeks versus 1 to 3 months on platforms, with no 10 to 20% commission. Platforms become worthwhile once your portfolio is stronger.
How do I avoid unpaid work?
Ask for a 30 to 50% deposit via Wave or Orange Money before starting, and the balance before sending final files. The course provides quote and message templates.
What is the course price?
Level 1 Essential costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR / 41 USD) for 6 hours, paid with Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track is 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Are three clients in 30 days guaranteed?
No, it is a working goal, not a promise. It assumes about 1 h of prospecting a day, and the result depends on your skill, your offer and your consistency.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days: 6 h in French, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 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.
