The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, moving from administrative assistant to executive assistant can lift a salary from 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA a month, as a 2026 order of magnitude. Recruiters at groups, banks and NGOs do not look at the diploma first: they test office software skills, writing quality and the ability to run an executive's calendar. A focused 47-hour course at 200,000 FCFA covers these skills for a fraction of the cost of a private-school BTS.
How much does an executive assistant earn in Dakar in 2026
Salaries vary widely by employer type. A family SME in the Plateau or Sicap does not pay like a subsidiary of an international group in Almadies or an NGO based in Mermoz. The figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude drawn from job ads and observed pay scales, not guaranteed minimums.
| Role | Typical employer | Gross monthly salary (FCFA) | Experience required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary receptionist | SME, medical practice | 150,000 to 250,000 | 0 to 2 years |
| Administrative assistant | SME, private school | 250,000 to 400,000 | 1 to 3 years |
| Executive assistant | Structured SME | 400,000 to 550,000 | 3 years or more |
| Executive assistant | Group, bank, insurer | 500,000 to 800,000 | 3 to 5 years |
| Bilingual executive assistant | NGO, international organization | 600,000 to 900,000 | 3 to 5 years, fluent English |
| Office manager | Startup, consulting firm | 450,000 to 750,000 | 4 years or more |
| Remote freelance assistant | Executives, diaspora | 100,000 to 250,000 per client | Variable |
Two points stand out. First, the sharpest jump happens between "administrative assistant" and "executive assistant": roughly 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA more per month. Second, English often adds 20 to 30% in NGOs and international organizations. Benefits (health insurance, transport allowance, 13th month) widen the gap further in large groups.
What recruiters actually test
Interviews for an executive assistant role almost always include a practical test: drafting a letter from notes, formatting an Excel tracking sheet, organizing a week of appointments with scheduling conflicts. Many candidates fail at this stage, not on motivation.
The skills expected in 2026:
- Advanced office software: Word (styles, mail merge, templates), Excel (tracking tables, filters, VLOOKUP), PowerPoint for the director's presentations.
- Organization: shared calendar management (Google Calendar, Outlook), meeting preparation, travel logistics.
- Written communication: letters, internal memos, clear and fast meeting minutes.
- Filing and confidentiality: digital archiving, handling sensitive files.
- Professional posture: call screening, prioritization, welcoming senior visitors.
Comparing training options in Dakar
The BTS in executive assistance remains the classic route, but its cost and length do not suit someone already in a job. Free tutorials help with one piece of software but give neither method nor certificate.
| Option | Total cost (FCFA) | Duration | Certificate | Suits people already working |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTS, private school in Dakar | 1,200,000 to 2,400,000 (2 years) | 2 years | State diploma | Hard |
| Short in-person course at a center | 150,000 to 350,000 | 2 to 6 weeks | Center attestation | Depends on hours |
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 (plus data) | Variable | None | Yes, no support |
| International online certificates | 25,000 to 60,000 per month | 2 to 6 months | Yes, in English | Yes |
| Kolonell Academy, Executive Assistant | 200,000 | 47 h, self-paced | Kolonell certificate | Yes |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 instead of 450,000 | Progressive | Certificate per level | Yes |
The course Executive Assistant: office software, organization and communication is level 5, Advanced, of the office productivity track. It costs 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), lasts 47 hours and is taught online in French, with exercises drawn from real office situations. If your Word and Excel basics are shaky, the Office and Productivity track bundles all 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Awa, 27, is an administrative assistant at a distribution SME in Dakar. She earns 300,000 FCFA gross per month. She is aiming for an executive assistant role in a group subsidiary, with an offered salary around 500,000 FCFA.
- Course cost: 200,000 FCFA, paid with Wave.
- Time invested: 47 hours, about 6 weeks at 8 hours a week in the evenings and on weekends.
- Target monthly gain: 500,000 minus 300,000, i.e. 200,000 FCFA gross.
- Payback: the course is recovered in the first month in the new role.
Even in a cautious scenario, where Awa only gets a 50,000 FCFA raise at her current company thanks to new responsibilities, the course pays for itself in 4 months. This calculation is an estimate: hiring also depends on network, interview and market.
FAQ
Do you need a BTS to become an executive assistant in Dakar?
No, it is not mandatory in most SMEs and many groups. Recruiters look at experience and at how you perform on practical tests; a 47-hour certificate on the key skills strongly supports a CV with 2 to 3 years of administrative experience.
What salary should you target after the course?
With 3 years of secretarial experience, an executive assistant role in a structured SME is around 400,000 to 550,000 FCFA in 2026. In a group or NGO, expect 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA, especially with good English.
How long does the course take?
The course lasts 47 hours. At 8 hours a week, you finish in about 6 weeks without leaving your job.
How do you pay from Senegal?
The 200,000 FCFA fee is paid with Wave or Orange Money, no bank card needed. Access opens as soon as payment is confirmed.
What if my Excel level is weak?
Start with the first levels of the office productivity track. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA and leads step by step to the Executive Assistant level.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive Assistant: office software, organization and communication: 47 hours online (taught in French), 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.
