The verdict in three sentences
Around Thiès, cement plants, mining sites and their subcontractors hire executive assistants who can run a busy calendar, write clean minutes and produce reliable reporting. These jobs pay roughly 200,000 to 450,000 FCFA a month, clearly more than standard secretarial work, but recruiters expect strong office skills and real method. The Kolonell Executive Assistant course costs 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR or 333 USD) for 47 hours, compared with 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA a year at a private school.
The executive assistant job market around Thiès in 2026
The region's industrial base (cement plants near Pout, phosphates around Tivaouane, zircon along the Grande Côte, quarries at Bandia and Diack) creates demanding administrative roles: site management, purchasing departments, logistics, maintenance and safety subcontractors. Pay depends mainly on the type of employer.
| Typical employer | Role | Monthly net salary 2026 (order of magnitude) | Common requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local SME (trade, transport) | Executive secretary | 150,000 to 220,000 FCFA | Word, basic Excel, reception |
| Industrial subcontractor (maintenance, logistics) | Executive assistant | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA | Excel, planning, purchase order tracking |
| Mining site or cement plant, site management | Executive assistant | 300,000 to 450,000 FCFA | Reporting, basic English, confidentiality |
| Industrial group, head office | Senior executive assistant | 400,000 to 600,000 FCFA | Experience, English, travel organisation |
| Temp work and short assignments | Administrative assistant | 8,000 to 15,000 FCFA per day | Immediate availability |
These ranges are 2026 estimates based on job ads and pay scales observed in Senegal; they vary with the collective agreement, seniority and site allowances. Industrial jobs often add a transport or meal allowance, useful when the site is 30 to 40 km from Thiès town.
Comparing training options
A holder of a secretarial vocational diploma already has the basics. What is usually missing is the "head office" level: managing an executive's calendar, preparing meetings, filing and archiving, dashboards, flawless written communication.
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, Executive Assistant | 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR) | 47 h online | Methods, templates, case studies, Kolonell certificate |
| Full Office track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Nearly 100 h | Computer basics, Word, Excel, Office suite, executive assistant |
| Private school in Thiès or Dakar | 600,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per year | 1 to 2 years | Diploma, internship, but slow pace |
| In-person continuing education | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 3 to 5 days | Attendance certificate, little practice |
| Free online content | 0 FCFA | Variable | Scattered notions, no follow-up |
The Executive Assistant course: office skills, organisation and communication is level 5 (advanced) of the track and is taught in French. It covers the real tasks of the job, the relationship with the executive, confidentiality, calendar, mail, meetings, archiving and reporting. If your Excel or Word skills are shaky, the Office and productivity track starts from scratch for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 534 EUR instead of 686 EUR).
What industrial recruiters test in interviews
On an industrial site, the executive assistant sits at the crossroads of production, purchasing, safety and visitors. Hiring tests often involve three exercises: writing meeting minutes in 30 minutes, an Excel tracking sheet (purchase orders, attendance, trips), and a calendar simulation with conflicting appointments. The course has you produce these deliverables on corrected fictional cases, which you can then show in interviews.
Mini case study
Fatou, 23, holds a vocational diploma in office administration and lives in Thiès. She does temp administrative work at 10,000 FCFA a day, about 12 days a month, so 120,000 FCFA.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Investment: 200,000 FCFA for the course, paid with Wave.
- Time: 47 hours over two months, at 6 hours a week.
- Goal: an executive assistant job with an industrial subcontractor at 250,000 FCFA net.
If she gets that job, her income rises from 120,000 to 250,000 FCFA, an extra 130,000 FCFA a month. The course pays for itself in just over six weeks. Nothing is automatic: she will have to apply, pass the tests and sometimes accept a first fixed-term contract. But she arrives with ready-made templates and a demonstrable level.
FAQ
Do I need a vocational diploma to take the course?
No diploma is required, but the level is advanced (5 of 5). With a secretarial diploma or two years of office experience, you can go straight into the 47 hours; otherwise, start with the earlier levels from 25,000 FCFA.
How much does an executive assistant earn around Thiès?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, between 200,000 and 450,000 FCFA net a month depending on the employer. Mining and cement sites pay at the top of the range, often with transport allowances.
Is English essential in mining and cement firms?
Not always, but many groups have English-speaking teams or suppliers. The Office English course at 50,000 FCFA complements this profile well for emails and phone calls.
How long does it take to finish?
At 6 hours a week, allow about 8 weeks for the 47 hours. The content stays available online, so you progress at your own pace, even around temp work.
Does the certificate replace a diploma?
No, it is a Kolonell certificate that attests a practical level. It complements a diploma or experience and gives you concrete deliverables to show recruiters.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive Assistant: office skills, organisation and communication: 47 hours online, 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), Kolonell 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.
