The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, selling online lets you reach Dakar, Thiès and the diaspora without opening a second shop, provided you master three things: a catalog that leaves a margin, payment collection through Wave or Orange Money, and delivery costs worked out in advance. The Kolonell course E-commerce: selling online in Senegal and French-speaking Africa, taught in French, costs 50,000 FCFA for 12 hours, a fraction of the 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA charged for in-person training. With a product already in hand, first sales typically arrive within 4 to 6 weeks (2026 order of magnitude), with no advertising budget at the start.
Learning in Saint-Louis: options and prices
A trader from Sor, a young UGB graduate or a jewelry maker from the northern district has three ways to learn. The table compares what each one costs and what it really delivers.
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell course, level 2 Practical | 50,000 FCFA | 12 h, self-paced | 6 modules, exercises, quizzes, certificate |
| Local in-person training | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days | Classroom, fixed hours, travel |
| One-off NGO or incubator workshop | Free to 20,000 FCFA | 1 day | Introduction, little follow-up |
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Unlimited | Scattered content, often built for Europe |
| International online certificates | 15,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 10 to 40 h | Good basics, but no Wave, OM or local delivery |
Context makes the difference. A course designed for Europe talks about bank cards and national carriers; in Saint-Louis, your customers pay with Wave, ask for cash on delivery and want to know what shipping to Dakar costs. The Kolonell program covers these situations module by module: choosing what to sell and at what price, setting up your sales channel (WhatsApp Business, Facebook or an online store), getting paid without being cheated, delivering to the regions and the diaspora, writing product pages that trigger orders, then building loyalty.
This course is level 2 of the E-commerce and online selling track. The full track has 5 levels, from selling on WhatsApp to running an e-commerce business, and costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA when you take all five.
Delivery, margin and timelines: the figures to know
Selling beyond Saint-Louis starts with controlling shipping costs. One parcel lost on the way or one customer refusing delivery can wipe out the margin of three sales.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude | What the course teaches you |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Saint-Louis to Dakar | 2,000 to 3,500 FCFA per parcel | Build it into the price or bill it clearly |
| Delivery within Saint-Louis | 500 to 1,500 FCFA | Set a free zone above a minimum basket |
| Wave merchant fees | About 1% | Include them in your floor price |
| Refusal rate on cash on delivery | 10 to 25% depending on products | Ask for a Wave deposit on large orders |
| Target net margin | 35% after fees | Calculate a floor price per product |
| Time before first sales | 4 to 6 weeks | Plan catalog, photos and first messages |
The common mistake is to copy the price used at Sor market and add delivery at the end. The pricing module makes you start from the real cost: purchase, packaging, Wave fees, delivery, returns, and only then the margin. A wax print fabric sold for 12,000 FCFA in Saint-Louis can easily sell for 15,000 FCFA delivered in Dakar if the product page and photos are well done.
Mini case study
Awa, 26, a management graduate from UGB, sells wax bags sewn by her aunt in Saint-Louis. She sells 8 bags a month at the market for 9,000 FCFA, with a margin of about 3,500 FCFA per bag.
After the course, she puts a catalog of 10 models online, sets a price of 12,500 FCFA delivered in Dakar (3,000 FCFA delivery paid by her, Wave fees included) and asks for a 50% Wave deposit above two bags. Her margin rises to about 4,500 FCFA per bag sold online.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Course cost: 50,000 FCFA.
- Cautious assumption for month two: 10 online sales on top of the market, i.e. 45,000 FCFA extra margin.
- Payback: about 5 to 6 weeks after the first sales.
These figures are an illustrative scenario, not a promise: volume depends on the product, the photos and how regularly you post.
FAQ
Do I need a website to take this course?
No. The course shows how to start with WhatsApp Business and a Facebook page, both free, then when a website becomes useful. Many sellers handle their first 50 orders without a site.
How much time should I set aside each week?
The 12 hours are self-paced online. At 3 hours a week you finish in 4 weeks, which matches the time needed to set up your first sales.
How do I pay for the course from Saint-Louis?
Payment is by Wave or Orange Money, no bank card needed. Access opens as soon as the 50,000 FCFA payment is confirmed.
Is cash on delivery too risky?
Part of your customers still expect it, with 10 to 25% refusals depending on products. The payment module explains how to limit it, for example with a Wave deposit on orders above 20,000 FCFA.
What comes after level 2?
Level 3 teaches you to build and run a real online store. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in E-commerce: selling online in Senegal and French-speaking Africa: 12 hours online, taught in French, 50,000 FCFA, with a 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.
