The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, a stock manager who masters XLOOKUP, SUMIFS and pivot tables stands out from candidates who can only type in numbers. Kolonell Academy's online Practical Excel course (75,000 FCFA, 14 h, certificate) covers exactly the tools a store needs: stock sheet, out-of-stock alerts, monthly analysis. If you already know your way around a computer, this is the level to take before paying 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA for a more generic classroom course.
From notebook to workbook: what actually changes in a store
In a hardware shop at the central market, a factory in the Thiès industrial area or a distribution depot on the Dakar road, the problem is usually the same: the recorded stock does not match the real stock, shortages are discovered when the customer is at the counter, and the month-end inventory takes a full day. Excel does not replace discipline, but it makes gaps visible immediately.
| Task | With a notebook | With a well-built Excel workbook |
|---|---|---|
| Update stock after an issue | 2 to 3 min per line, manual calculation | Automatic, inflow minus outflow formula |
| Spot out-of-stock items | Walk around the store, 1 to 2 h | Color alert, a few seconds |
| Stock value in FCFA | Calculator, high error risk | Quantity × purchase price, instant |
| Monthly inventory | 1 full day | 2 to 3 h, gaps listed automatically |
| Turnover per item | Rarely calculated | Monthly pivot table |
| Report to the boss | Copied by hand | Chart ready to print or send on WhatsApp |
The course Practical Excel: tables, formulas and analysis for work (taught in French) is built around these uses. Its six modules go from a clean table (one line per movement, FCFA and date formats) to IF, COUNTIF, SUMIFS and XLOOKUP, then filters, drop-down lists, conditional formatting, pivot tables and charts. The final module delivers ready-to-use management tools, including a stock sheet with color-coded out-of-stock alerts. The course works with Excel 2021, Microsoft 365 or the free Google Sheets, which is enough for 90% of the exercises.
Comparing training options in Thiès in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | Stock and management content | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell "Practical Excel" (level 3) | 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR) | 14 h, self-paced | Stock sheet, alerts, pivot tables, budget, invoice | Yes |
| Classroom course at a Thiès training center | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 20 to 30 h over 4 to 6 weeks | Varies, often general office skills | Center attestation |
| Private tutor at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 15 to 20 h, i.e. 75,000 to 200,000 FCFA | Depends on tutor | No |
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 FCFA (plus mobile data) | Unlimited, unstructured | Fragmented, few FCFA cases | No |
| International online certificates | 20,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 10 to 30 h, often in English | Examples in dollars or euros | Yes |
The Kolonell course is level 3 of the Office and Productivity track. If you are new to computers, levels 1 and 2 are recommended first. The full five-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA when buying levels one by one. Payment is by Wave or Orange Money.
What a stock manager who masters Excel earns
The figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude observed in Senegal, not salary promises.
| Profile in Thiès | Indicative 2026 monthly salary | Expected Excel level |
|---|---|---|
| Junior storekeeper, hardware shop | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Basic data entry |
| Stock manager, distribution SME | 180,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Formulas, filters, stock sheet |
| Stock manager, factory or industry | 250,000 to 350,000 FCFA | Pivot tables, XLOOKUP, dashboards |
| Logistics manager, regional group | 350,000 to 500,000 FCFA | Analysis, reporting, budget |
| Freelancer setting up stock files | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per file | Complete management tools |
The gap between a storekeeper who types and a manager who analyzes often comes down to producing a reliable stock statement and a monthly report without help. That is where pivot tables and conditional formatting make the difference in a job interview.
Mini case study
Ousmane, 29, storekeeper in a Thiès hardware shop, earns 140,000 FCFA a month and spends about 6 h a week recounting and copying his stock notebook. He takes the Practical Excel course (75,000 FCFA) over three weeks, 5 h a week in the evening.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Estimated time saved: 6 h minus 1.5 h of Excel entry, i.e. 4.5 h a week, about 18 h a month.
- Six months later, his boss also hands him supplier order tracking and raises his pay by 40,000 FCFA a month, to 180,000 FCFA (order of magnitude, fictional scenario).
- Payback on the course: 75,000 ÷ 40,000 = under 2 months of salary gain.
Even without a raise, the 18 h freed each month and the end of undetected shortages are concrete arguments to present to his employer.
FAQ
Do I need to be good at math to follow the course?
No. The course requires addition, multiplication and percentages. Each formula is explained on a concrete FCFA case, such as 18% VAT or the margin on a bag of cement.
Can I take the course without paid Excel?
Yes. Google Sheets is free and enough for 90% of the exercises, and differences with Excel are flagged in the lessons. Excel 2021, Microsoft 365 or LibreOffice Calc 24.8 also work.
How long does it take to finish the 14 hours?
At 4 to 5 h a week, allow 3 to 4 weeks. The course is online and self-paced, so you can follow it after work.
What does the certificate cover?
It certifies completion of the 6 modules, the quizzes and the 2 practical projects, including an automated price and sales table. You can attach it to your CV or share it on LinkedIn.
How do I pay from Thiès?
With Wave or Orange Money, directly from your phone. Course access opens as soon as payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Practical Excel: tables, formulas and analysis for work: 14 h online, 75,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate on completion. 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.
