The verdict in three sentences
For a Dakar-based manager reporting to headquarters in London, Washington or Nairobi, leadership-level English has become a promotion criterion, not just a CV bonus. The pay gap observed in 2026 between an operationally bilingual manager and a French-only manager often reaches 300,000 to 800,000 FCFA a month (about 460 to 1,220 EUR). A structured 40-hour course at 200,000 FCFA therefore pays for itself within weeks once it unlocks a broader role.
What headquarters really expects from you in meetings
In an international NGO, a pan-African bank or a multinational subsidiary based in Almadies or Plateau, the "I understand emails" level is no longer enough. Headquarters expects you to open the meeting, present your numbers, defend a budget, refocus a debate and write the minutes, all in English and without an interpreter.
| Work situation | Level expected in 2026 | Most common sticking point |
|---|---|---|
| Running a weekly call with headquarters | Solid B2, management vocabulary | Drawing in a silent participant, managing time |
| Presenting a quarterly report to the board | C1 in financial register | Explaining a budget variance without sounding defensive |
| Negotiating a budget allocation | C1, negotiation techniques | Saying no politely, offering a trade-off |
| Conducting an annual review with an expatriate | B2+ HR register | Delivering negative feedback tactfully |
| Writing an executive summary | C1 written | Concision, one-page structure |
| Responding to an audit or a donor | B2+ technical and compliance | Precise terms, written commitments |
The common thread: these are management skills in English, not grammar. That is exactly the register covered by level 5 of the track.
Comparing the options to progress fast
In Dakar, three paths coexist. Private tutoring at home or at the office costs roughly 15,000 to 25,000 FCFA an hour (23 to 38 EUR). Language institutes run general group sessions. Free online content is plentiful but rarely focused on leadership.
| Option | Cost for 40 h | Leadership content | Certificate | Schedule flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private tutoring (15,000 to 25,000 FCFA/h) | 600,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | Depends on the tutor | No | Medium |
| Language institute, group session | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA | Rarely | Level certificate | Low, fixed hours |
| Free videos and apps | 0 to 60,000 FCFA subscription | Very partial | None or little recognized | Full |
| Kolonell Academy, Expert English (level 5) | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR, about 330 USD) | Yes: meetings, management, technical English | Kolonell Academy certificate | Full, online |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From beginner to leadership | Certificate per level | Full |
The course Expert English: leadership, management and technical English, taught in French for francophone learners, targets managers who are already comfortable day to day and want to move up to the executive register. If you are starting further back, the Professional English track chains all five levels, from level 1 Essentials at 25,000 FCFA up to level 5.
The 40-hour plan, week by week
With 5 hours a week, taken early in the morning or on Saturdays, the programme fits into eight weeks without leaving your job.
| Weeks | Volume | Concrete objective | Deliverable to prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 10 h | Open, frame and close a meeting | Opening script for your real committee |
| 3 to 4 | 10 h | Present figures and a budget variance | 5 reporting slides presented orally |
| 5 | 5 h | Negotiate and say no | Budget arbitration role-play |
| 6 | 5 h | Feedback and management reviews | Annual review template |
| 7 | 5 h | Technical English for your sector | 80-term industry glossary |
| 8 | 5 h | Executive summary and minutes | Approved one-page memo |
The benefit of this structure: each sequence produces a document you reuse the following week in your real meetings.
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.
Mariama, 34, head of programmes at an international NGO in Dakar, earns 850,000 FCFA a month. Her regional director offers her the deputy country coordinator role, provided she chairs the monthly committee with the London headquarters on her own. The role pays, as a 2026 order of magnitude, 1,250,000 FCFA, i.e. +400,000 FCFA a month (about 610 EUR).
Calculation: course 200,000 FCFA, plus roughly 40 hours of her personal time. With private tutoring at 20,000 FCFA an hour, the same volume would have cost her 800,000 FCFA. If the promotion goes through, the investment is covered in two weeks of salary difference, and the annual gain reaches 4,800,000 FCFA. Nothing is guaranteed, but the cost-to-stakes ratio is clear.
FAQ
What level do I need for Expert English?
You should already handle a simple professional conversation, around B1+ to B2. If in doubt, start with level 3 Conversational English at 75,000 FCFA (15 h) before tackling the 40 hours of level 5.
How much time should I plan per week?
As a rough guide, 5 hours a week lets you finish in 8 weeks. Very busy managers often spread it over 12 weeks at about 3.5 hours a week.
Is the course useful outside NGOs?
Yes, the meeting, reporting and negotiation modules apply to banks, insurers, telecoms and multinational subsidiaries. The technical English module adapts to your sector through the 80-term glossary you build.
Can my employer pay?
Many organizations have a training budget of 300,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA per manager per year. An invoice in the employer's name can be issued for the 200,000 FCFA enrolment.
Should I take the full track instead?
If your level is below B1, yes: the 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000, a 100,000 FCFA saving. If you are already comfortable, level 5 alone is enough.
Take the next step. Enroll in Expert English: leadership, management and technical English: 40 hours online, 200,000 FCFA (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.
