The verdict in three sentences
In Ouagadougou, NGO programme officers, managers at mining subcontractors and sales staff dealing with donors or Ghanaian partners lose opportunities because they cannot present, write and negotiate in English with confidence. Pay gaps observed for bilingual roles range from 20 to 40%, and most calls for proposals from major donors are written in English. The Kolonell course "Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents" covers these situations in 34 hours for 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), the price of 5 to 10 hours of private lessons in town.
Where English is costing you money today
A programme officer who understands a tender but does not dare defend the budget on a video call lets an anglophone colleague from the region lead the discussion. A procurement manager at a mining subcontractor signs weaker terms because he cannot rephrase a clause. A salesperson misses the written follow-up after a trade fair because the email is clumsy. These losses are invisible, but they weigh on bonuses, promotions and contracts.
| Situation in Ouagadougou | English level needed | Stakes, 2026 ballpark |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly meeting with a donor (World Bank, a UN agency) | Present figures, handle questions | Renewal of project funding |
| Answering a call for proposals in English | Read the terms of reference, write a technical note | Access to markets larger than the local one |
| Negotiating with a Ghanaian supplier or client | Argue, offer trade-offs | A few points of margin on each contract |
| Monthly report to an anglophone head office | Write short and clear | Credibility with management |
| Interview for a bilingual role | Introduce yourself, discuss achievements | Pay 20 to 40% above the French-only equivalent |
| Follow-up emails after field work | Appropriate formal or semi-formal tone | Response times and professional image |
What the course contains, and what the alternatives cost
The course is level 4 of the Professional English track. It assumes a B1 level: you can already hold a simple conversation. Its eight modules run from clear professional writing (Plain English) to formal emails, short reports and minutes, business and finance vocabulary, presentations and pitches, negotiation, reading commercial and technical documents, then role plays based on real cases. Each module produces a reusable deliverable: a kit of 10 formal emails, minutes and a short report, your glossary, a presentation with figures, a negotiation plan, a reply to a tender, and as a final project a complete business file in English.
| Option in Ouagadougou | Price, 2026 ballpark | Volume | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps | 0 FCFA, data aside | Unlimited | General English, no professional documents |
| Private lessons in town | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA an hour | 34 h would cost 340,000 to 680,000 FCFA | Very uneven quality, no templates |
| Language centre group session | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA a term | Fixed schedule | General syllabus, little donor focus |
| Kolonell Business English course | 100,000 FCFA | 34 h online, templates included | Requires B1 to start |
| Full Professional English track | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | 5 levels, from beginner to expert English | Commitment over several months |
Explanations are given in French and the exercises are done in English. The module details are on the page of the Business English course: presentations, negotiation and documents. If you are not yet comfortable speaking, start lower in the Professional English track, for example at level 3 conversational English for 75,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Rasmata, 34, a monitoring and evaluation officer at a health NGO in Ouagadougou, earns 450,000 FCFA a month. She reads English well but leaves her coordinator to present results to donors. A bilingual programme manager role opens at a partner organisation, with an advertised salary of 580,000 FCFA.
She takes the course over eight weeks at four hours a week and uses the final project (a business file in English) to prepare her interview and presentation.
- Course cost: 100,000 FCFA
- Pay gap if she gets the role: 580,000 - 450,000 = 130,000 FCFA a month, about 29%
- Payback: less than one month of extra salary
- Comparison: 34 hours of private lessons at 15,000 FCFA would have cost 510,000 FCFA
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
This scenario is illustrative: the course strengthens your application, it guarantees neither a job nor a raise.
FAQ
What level do I need to start?
A B1 level, meaning you can hold a conversation and a simple meeting. Below that, level 3 Conversational English (75,000 FCFA, 24 h) is the right starting point.
Does the course prepare for donor meetings?
Yes, the presentation, negotiation and tender-reading modules use cases close to international donors. You leave with a presentation built on figures and a model reply to a call for proposals.
How much time per week should I plan?
The 34 hours fit well over 8 to 10 weeks at 3 to 4 hours a week. A computer with a word processor and presentation software is enough.
Is the 20 to 40% pay gap guaranteed?
No. It is a 2026 ballpark observed for bilingual roles in West Africa, depending on sector, employer and experience. The course builds your skills and deliverables, not your contract.
How do I enroll from Burkina Faso?
Enrollment is paid with Wave or Orange Money, 100,000 FCFA for this level. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Business English: presentations, negotiation and documents: 34 hours, 100,000 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.
