The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, directors, department heads and programme managers increasingly have to present results, chair meetings and negotiate in English with a head office, a donor or partners in Ghana and Nigeria. School-level English is not enough to lead a meeting, give feedback or hold a negotiation without losing authority. The course Expert English: leadership, management and technical English, 57 hours for 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR or 330 USD), targets those leadership situations for less than a third of the price of many institute programmes.
Where English costs Dakar executives the most
Subsidiaries of international groups, banks, oil and gas companies, NGOs and World Bank or AfDB funded projects run largely in English. Steering meetings happen by video call with London, Johannesburg or Washington. A manager who understands everything but hesitates to speak often leaves the decision to others.
| Professional situation | What is at stake | What is most often missing |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly review with head office | Defending a budget, explaining a variance | Financial vocabulary, transition phrases |
| Meeting with a donor | Justifying indicators, securing extra funding | Diplomatic tone, rephrasing |
| Negotiation with a foreign supplier | Price, deadlines, penalties | Concession techniques, firm phrasing |
| Feedback to an English-speaking team member | Correcting without demotivating | Nuanced managerial language |
| Speech or conference | Company image | Structure, pace, handling questions |
| Writing a board report in English | Credibility with the board | Concise written style, sector terminology |
Course programme
The course Expert English: leadership, management and technical English is level 5 of the Professional English track, at advanced level. Instructions and explanations are given in French, which helps francophone managers understand nuances, while all practice material is in English. It has ten modules.
| Modules | What you work on |
|---|---|
| Cultural differences at work | British, American, Nigerian and South African meeting codes |
| International calls and meetings | Opening, refocusing and closing a video call |
| Writing for a global audience | Concise executive emails and memos |
| Public speaking and professional speeches | Structuring a 5 to 15 minute talk |
| Running meetings and leading a team | Managing turns, deciding, delegating |
| Managerial communication and feedback | Annual reviews, correction, recognition |
| Conflict, persuasion and sensitive situations | Defusing tension, convincing a committee |
| Strategic negotiation and influence | Anchoring, concessions, closing a deal |
| Technical English for your sector | Finance, energy, health, development |
| Certifications and targeted deepening | Preparing a recognised test and continuing alone |
Comparing options in Dakar
| Option | Price (2026 estimate) | Volume | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Expert English | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR) | 57 h | Leadership situations, fits an executive's schedule | Needs regular speaking practice |
| Private tutoring in Dakar | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA an hour | 40 h = 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | Fully tailored | Expensive, depends on the tutor |
| Language institute programme | 400,000 to 900,000 FCFA (610 to 1,372 EUR) | 40 to 80 h | Structured, group setting | Fixed hours, often generic content |
| Free apps | 0 to 10,000 FCFA a month | Variable | Daily practice | No management or negotiation |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | 5 levels | Beginner to leadership | Useful if your basics are weak |
If your English is still hesitant, the Professional English track bundles all 5 levels, from beginner to expert, for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Mini case study
Aïssatou, 42, finance and administration director of a logistics subsidiary in Dakar, presents her accounts to the regional head office in English every quarter. She had considered 40 hours of private tutoring at 20,000 FCFA, 800,000 FCFA in total (about 1,220 EUR).
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Calculation: with the course at 200,000 FCFA for 57 hours, each hour costs her about 3,500 FCFA versus 20,000 FCFA with a tutor, a saving of 600,000 FCFA. If she then targets a bilingual regional role, the 20 to 40 % pay gap seen on such positions represents, on a 1,500,000 FCFA salary, between 300,000 and 600,000 FCFA a month. This is a 2026 order of magnitude, not a promise: promotion also depends on her results and open positions.
FAQ
What level do I need?
A solid intermediate level, around B2: you follow a meeting and write a simple email. Below that, start with a lower level of the Professional English track.
How much time per week should I plan?
The course lasts 57 hours. At 4 hours a week, a manager finishes in about 14 weeks while keeping time to practise in real meetings.
Does it cover English for my sector?
Yes, one module covers technical and specialised English: finance, energy, health, development or logistics. You build a glossary of 100 to 200 terms for your job.
How do I pay?
Enrolment costs 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR or 330 USD), paid by Wave or Orange Money. For questions, message +221 77 596 93 33 on WhatsApp.
Can my company enrol several managers?
Yes, each enrolment remains 200,000 FCFA per person. Contact +221 77 596 93 33 to arrange enrolment for 3 to 10 managers from the same team.
Take the next step. Enroll in Expert English: leadership, management and technical English: 57 hours, 200,000 FCFA, 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.
