The verdict in three sentences
In Kaolack, the gap between a secretary and an executive assistant is worth tens of thousands of FCFA a month, and it rests mainly on specific skills: diary management, file organisation, minutes and dashboards. For someone already working in a groundnut mill, a bank or an NGO, a two-year private BTS is often too long and too expensive. A targeted 47-hour course lets you build those skills without leaving your job, then negotiate a promotion with concrete proof.
The assistant job market in Kaolack in 2026
Kaolack is home to employers that need well-organised management offices: groundnut traders and processors, bank and microfinance branches, agricultural NGO projects, clinics and private schools. Most promote internally when a secretary shows she can run a director's diary, prepare a board meeting or follow supplier files.
| Role in Kaolack | Gross monthly salary (2026 order of magnitude) | Expected skills |
|---|---|---|
| Receptionist secretary | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA | Front desk, phone, simple mail |
| Administrative secretary | 150,000 to 220,000 FCFA | Word, filing, data entry |
| SME executive assistant | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA | Diary, minutes, Excel |
| Bank or microfinance executive assistant | 280,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Reporting, confidentiality, procedures |
| NGO project executive assistant | 300,000 to 450,000 FCFA | Donor reports, mission logistics, basic English |
| Freelance assistant for managers | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per client | Shared diary, letters, follow-ups |
These ranges are estimates: they vary with the size of the organisation, seniority and the applicable agreement. They still show one clear point: the step from secretary to management assistant is often worth 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month.
Comparing training options
| Option | 2026 cost | Length | Compatible with a job | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTS in a private school | 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA a year | 2 years | Hard (daytime classes) | State diploma, broad theory |
| Short in-person course in Dakar | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA + travel and lodging | 1 to 2 weeks | No, leave needed | Certificate, little follow-up practice |
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA + mobile data | Variable | Yes | Isolated tips, no structure |
| Kolonell "Executive assistant" | 200,000 FCFA | 47 h online | Yes, at your own pace | Ready templates, exercises, certificate |
| Full office skills track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | Yes | Word, Excel, organisation up to executive level |
The course Executive assistant: office tools, organisation and communication is level 5, advanced, of the Office and productivity track. It is taught in French. It covers managing an executive's diary, handling mail, preparing meetings, physical and digital filing and weekly reporting. If your Word and Excel basics are shaky, the full track at 350,000 FCFA makes more sense than level 5 alone.
What you will be able to do
| Skill | Real situation in Kaolack | Measurable gain |
|---|---|---|
| Director's shared diary | Supplier meetings during the groundnut season | No more double bookings |
| File classification plan | Contracts, invoices, staff files | Document found in under 2 minutes |
| Meeting minutes | Management committee or project meeting | Circulated the same day |
| Excel tracking sheet | Client follow-ups and bank deadlines | No forgotten file |
| Formal letters and memos | Administration, banks, partners | Fewer correction rounds |
Mini case study
Aïssatou, 29, is a secretary at a groundnut trading company in Kaolack, earning 170,000 FCFA a month. She takes the 200,000 FCFA course over eight weeks, six hours a week, without taking leave. She sets up a shared diary and a contract tracking sheet for her director. Three months later she is promoted to executive assistant at 240,000 FCFA. The gain is 70,000 FCFA a month: the course pays for itself in just under 3 months, about 12 weeks. This is an example scenario: promotion also depends on the employer.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need a diploma to enrol?
No. You need to be comfortable with a computer and have basic Word and Excel skills. If not, start with the first levels of the office track, from 25,000 FCFA.
How much time per week should I plan?
Allow 5 to 6 hours a week to finish the 47 hours in 8 to 10 weeks. Modules are available at any time, including evenings.
Does the course replace a BTS?
No, it does not award a state diploma. It costs 200,000 FCFA versus 1,000,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA for two years of private BTS, and focuses on immediate practice.
How do I pay from Kaolack?
Enrolment is paid with Wave or Orange Money in a single payment. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Can I then work as a freelance assistant?
It is possible: some SME managers pay 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month for remote assistance. You then need two or three regular clients.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive assistant: office tools, organisation and communication: 47 h online, 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), 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.
