The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, a director at a bank, a mining or oil company or an international organisation who has to defend a budget, chair a committee or negotiate in English rarely lacks vocabulary: what is missing is leadership reflexes in a language that is not their own. Individual coaching at 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA per hour or an executive programme abroad at 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA meets that need, at a high cost. A structured 57-hour course for 200,000 FCFA (about 305 EUR), focused on management, public speaking and technical English, covers the essentials for a fraction of that budget.
Why English is becoming a job requirement in Dakar
The start of oil and gas production, the regional headquarters of international organisations and the presence of pan-African banks have changed the picture: leadership meetings, donor reports and board meetings are often held in English. For a French-speaking executive, the challenge is no longer understanding but being heard and persuasive on the same footing as English-speaking peers.
| Leadership situation | What often goes wrong | Skill practised |
|---|---|---|
| Board meeting | Answers too long, hesitant tone | 3-point messages, authoritative phrasing |
| Budget defence | Figures poorly presented orally | Presenting data and handling objections |
| Partner negotiation | Concessions made too early | Negotiation and reframing language |
| Managing an international team | Feedback too blunt or too vague | Management scripts, cultural nuance |
| Crisis management | Improvised communication | Crisis protocol in English |
| Donor report | Overly literary style | Concise Anglo-Saxon writing |
Pay gaps are real. As a 2026 ballpark, a bilingual manager role in Dakar or Abidjan sits between 800,000 and 2,500,000 FCFA per month, and regional bilingual positions often carry a 15 to 30% premium over an equivalent French-only role. These ranges depend on sector and employer.
Comparing options for a senior executive
| Option | Cost, 2026 ballpark | Volume | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual coaching in Dakar | 25,000 to 60,000 FCFA per hour | 57 h = 1,425,000 to 3,420,000 FCFA | Highly tailored, expensive over time |
| Executive programme abroad | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA, excluding travel | 1 to 3 weeks | Networking, but time away from work |
| Group classes at an institute | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA per month | 2 sessions per week | Rarely leadership-oriented |
| Kolonell Academy, executive English | 200,000 FCFA | 57 h at your pace | Requires an advanced starting level |
The course Expert English: leadership, management and technical English (level 5 Expert, 200,000 FCFA, 57 h, instructions in French) leads to a bilingual leader portfolio: an intercultural guide, a donor report, a five-minute speech on video, management scripts, a crisis protocol and a 400-term technical glossary. It also prepares you for the official test of your choice, taken afterwards at an approved centre; the course does not itself award an official certification, but a verifiable Kolonell certificate.
Fitting 57 hours into an executive diary
The critical point for an executive is time. A realistic plan: 4 to 5 hours per week over three months, in short morning sessions plus one longer weekend session for the video speaking exercises.
| Pace | Hours per week | Total duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive | 10 h | About 6 weeks | Imminent new role |
| Standard | 5 h | About 12 weeks | Executive in post |
| Light | 3 h | About 19 weeks | Very busy diary |
Practical tip: record yourself on video before the first module presenting a budget for five minutes, then repeat the exercise at the end. The comparison says more than any grade.
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.
Ndèye, 42, deputy CFO at the Dakar subsidiary of a mining group, presents the accounts to the regional committee every quarter, in English. 57 hours of individual coaching at 40,000 FCFA per hour would cost her 2,280,000 FCFA. She chooses the course at 200,000 FCFA, paid via Wave, and completes it in twelve weeks.
Saving compared with coaching: 2,080,000 FCFA. If, six months later, she moves into a regional bilingual role with a 15% premium on a 1,200,000 FCFA salary, or 180,000 FCFA per month, the course is covered by just over one month of premium. This is an illustration: promotion also depends on experience and the company, and no raise is guaranteed.
FAQ
What English level do I need to start?
This is level 5 of 5, the top of the track, after Business English. You should already hold a professional conversation, roughly a B2 level.
Does the course replace an individual coach?
It covers 57 hours of structured content for 200,000 FCFA, against at least 1,425,000 FCFA for the same volume of coaching. Some executives combine the course with a few targeted coaching hours before a deadline.
Do I get an official certification?
No, you receive a Kolonell certificate verifiable online. The course prepares you for the official test of your choice, taken afterwards at an approved centre.
Does the technical English cover my sector?
The 400-term glossary covers finance, energy, mining, development and project management. The report and speech exercises adapt to your field.
Can my employer pay for the course?
Yes, payment by Wave or Orange Money can be made by the employer. The full Professional English track, 5 levels, costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Expert English: leadership, management and technical English: 57 hours, 200,000 FCFA, verifiable Kolonell certificate included. 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.
