The verdict in three sentences
In Touba, where wholesale trade, hardware and food shops run thousands of businesses, being able to keep a sales, stock and cash workbook that calculates correctly is still a rare and paid skill. Kolonell Academy's online Practical Excel course costs 75,000 FCFA for 14 hours, two to three times less than an in-person centre, with a verifiable certificate to add to your CV. If you already use Excel to add up figures, this is the right level; if you are new to computers, start with level 1 of the track.
How much does Excel training cost in Touba in 2026
Three options exist for a shop manager, an assistant or a student in Touba. The prices below are 2026 orders of magnitude from the Senegalese market.
| Option | Indicative price | Duration | Certificate | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office-skills centre in Touba (in person) | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 weeks | Centre attestation | Fixed hours, travel |
| Centre or school in Dakar (in person) | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 4 to 8 weeks | Attestation | Transport and housing if you come from Touba |
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (excluding data) | Variable | None | No structure, no correction |
| International online certificate | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month of subscription | Variable | Yes, in English | Examples in dollars, not FCFA |
| Kolonell "Practical Excel" (online) | 75,000 FCFA | 14 h at your own pace | Verifiable certificate | Requires a computer or Google Sheets |
The real cost of in-person training also includes transport and hours with the shop closed. For a trader at the Ocass market, losing two afternoons a week for a month often costs more than the course itself.
What you actually learn, level by level
The course Practical Excel: spreadsheets, formulas and analysis for work, taught in French, is level 3 Intermediate, 75,000 FCFA, of the Office and productivity track. It has six modules, all built on FCFA cases: sales journal, stock sheet with stock-out alerts, price calculation with margin, discount and 18% VAT, an invoice that looks up the price by itself, monthly budget.
| Track level | Course | Price | Duration | What you can do at the end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Beginner | Computer, files and email | 25,000 FCFA | 9 h | Organise files, write a professional email |
| 2 Beginner | Professional Word | 50,000 FCFA | 10 h | Clean CVs, reports, letters |
| 3 Intermediate | Practical Excel | 75,000 FCFA | 14 h | IF, SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, pivot tables |
| 4 Intermediate | Complete Office pack | 100,000 FCFA | 22 h | Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work |
| 5 Advanced | Executive assistant | 200,000 FCFA | 47 h | Diary, mail, management reporting |
The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA bought separately. Google Sheets, which is free, covers the vast majority of exercises if you do not have a Microsoft 365 licence.
Job prospects and target salaries with Excel in Touba and Dakar
Excel does not guarantee a job, but it often makes the difference at hiring. The following figures are 2026 orders of magnitude for Senegal.
| Job or activity | Indicative monthly income | Role of Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier or salesperson without Excel | 80,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Low |
| Stock manager in a Touba warehouse | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Central: inflows, outflows, stock-outs |
| Assistant or manager using pivot tables (Dakar) | 180,000 to 350,000 FCFA gross | Monthly reporting |
| Accounting assistant with advanced Excel | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Reconciliations, budget, payroll |
| Freelance: custom management workbook | 30,000 to 150,000 FCFA per workbook | The product being sold |
The last row appeals to many young people in Touba: a spare-parts shop or a hardware store will gladly pay for a stock sheet that flags stock-outs in red.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Modou, 23, holder of a BTS in accounting, helps his uncle in a wholesale food business in Touba. He takes the Practical Excel course over four weeks, in the evenings, for 75,000 FCFA paid via Wave. He builds the shop's stock sheet and sales journal, then offers the same tool to two neighbouring traders at 50,000 FCFA each. Calculation: 2 × 50,000 = 100,000 FCFA earned, so the course is paid back from the second client, about six weeks after enrolling. This result depends on his network and is not guaranteed, but it shows the order of magnitude.
FAQ
Do I need to be good at maths to follow the course?
No. The course requires addition, multiplication and percentages, and each formula is explained on a concrete FCFA case. A pocket calculator is enough as a prerequisite.
Can I follow the course from Touba with a small data plan?
Yes. Lessons are mostly written, with light files to download. Allow about 14 hours of work over three to six weeks depending on your pace.
Excel or Google Sheets?
Both. Lessons are written for Excel and flag every difference with Google Sheets, which is free and covers about 90% of the exercises.
Is the certificate recognised by employers?
It is a certificate verifiable online, which an employer can check in seconds. It does not replace a state diploma, but it proves 14 hours of practice and six concrete deliverables.
I am not comfortable with computers, where should I start?
Start with level 1 at 25,000 FCFA, then level 2 Word at 50,000 FCFA. If you plan several levels, the full track at 350,000 FCFA saves you 100,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Practical Excel: spreadsheets, formulas and analysis for work: 14 hours online, 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR), verifiable 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.
