The verdict in three sentences
If you already have a B2 level and your challenge is leading, negotiating and handling conflict in English, Kolonell Academy level 5 Advanced (200,000 FCFA, 40 hours) covers the content of an executive program for a fraction of the price. If you need a teacher who makes you speak live every week, an institute or a coach remains a better fit, at a much higher cost. Many managers combine the two: the method and deliverables online, a few speaking sessions elsewhere.
The three options for a manager in Dakar
You already work in English, but not with the same authority as in French. In a meeting with Nairobi or London, someone else takes the lead; faced with a Ghanaian colleague who misses deadlines, the right words do not come. Three families of solutions exist in Dakar in 2026.
| Option | 2026 price (ballpark) | Duration | What it gives you | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive program at an institute | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA (610 to 1,525 EUR) | 30 to 60 h over 2 to 4 months | Live teacher, group, fixed hours | Price, travel, hours hard to keep for a manager |
| One-to-one coaching | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA per hour, i.e. 450,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA for 30 h | On demand | Personalized speaking practice | Hourly cost, quality varies by coach |
| Kolonell Academy level 5 | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR) | 40 h, 3 to 4 months at 3 h per week | 10 modules, 10 projects, simulations you record yourself | No live teacher |
| Free apps and videos | 0 to 10,000 FCFA per month | Variable | Vocabulary, comprehension | Nothing on management or negotiation |
Institute and coach prices are ballpark figures observed in Dakar; check them with each provider.
What level 5 actually contains
The course Expert English: leadership, management and technical English, taught in French, is level 5 Advanced, 200,000 FCFA, 40 hours, the last level of the Professional English track. Each lesson gives C1-level vocabulary and expressions, a model dialogue or document set between Dakar, Abidjan, Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, London and Dubai, explanations in French and exercises with answer keys.
| Module | Topic | Project to submit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (free preview) | Cultural differences at work | Intercultural guide to five regions |
| 2 | International calls and meetings | A meeting organized, chaired and followed up |
| 3 | Writing for a global audience | Partner report in Global English |
| 4 | Public speaking and speeches | Five-minute speech recorded on video |
| 5 | Leading a team in English | Team management kit |
| 6 | Constructive feedback | Simulated SBI feedback and annual review |
| 7 | Conflict, persuasion, sensitive situations | Conflict and crisis management protocol |
| 8 | Strategic negotiation and influence | A negotiation prepared and conducted |
| 9 | Technical English for your sector | 400-term glossary and technical report |
| 10 | Certifications and progress plan | Leadership simulation and certification plan |
What you do not get, and you should know it before paying: no lecture videos, no live class, no one-to-one coaching. The speaking simulations (speech, meeting, negotiation) are recorded by you with your microphone and webcam. Peer help happens on the course forum and through WhatsApp support. Module 10 helps you choose between TOEIC, IELTS, Linguaskill and Cambridge; the Kolonell Academy certificate attests a completed course and does not replace those official tests.
The prerequisites are real: track level 4 or B2 equivalent, at least two years of work experience, ideally with team or project responsibility, and a computer with a microphone and webcam. If you are not yet comfortable writing and presenting in English, start with level 4 (Business English): the price paid is deducted if you later take the full track.
What English means for a career
For international organizations, NGOs, pan-African banks, mining, energy and tech companies based in Dakar and Abidjan, the course page cites a range of 800,000 to 2,500,000 FCFA per month (about 1,220 to 3,810 EUR) for a bilingual manager, and 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA per day for a senior bilingual consultant on regional assignments. This is a 2026 ballpark, depending on sector, experience and employer. The course guarantees neither a position nor an income: fluent English is often an entry condition for these roles rather than a bonus.
Mini case study
Consider a hypothetical learner: Moussa, 38, project manager at a logistics company in Dakar, who from January must lead a team spread across Dakar, Accra and Lagos.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Institute option: executive program at 700,000 FCFA, plus 40 taxi rides at 3,000 FCFA, i.e. 820,000 FCFA.
- Online option: 200,000 FCFA, 3 hours a week for about 14 weeks, evenings or weekends.
- Mixed option: level 5 at 200,000 FCFA plus 10 hours of speaking coaching at 25,000 FCFA, i.e. 450,000 FCFA.
In this illustrative calculation, the mixed option costs 370,000 FCFA less than the institute while adding speaking practice with a real partner. The scenario is hypothetical and shows no achieved result.
FAQ
What level do I need to start?
B2: you write professional emails and reports, you present and negotiate in English, even with mistakes. The free module 1 lets you check before paying the 200,000 FCFA.
How much time per week?
About 40 hours in total, i.e. three to four months at 3 hours a week. The final project (leadership simulation) alone takes about 4 hours.
Does the certificate have official value?
It is a numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online (QR code), that you can add to LinkedIn, obtained by passing the 10 module quizzes with at least 70 %; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. It is neither a diploma nor an official test like TOEIC or IELTS.
How do I pay and when does access open?
With Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33. Access is activated within 24 working hours after payment is received, for life, updates included. It is not refundable once activated.
Should I take the full track instead?
If you are starting from B1 or below, yes: the 5 levels of the Professional English track cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
---
Take the next step. Enroll in Expert English: leadership, management and technical English: 40 hours, 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR), verifiable 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.
