The verdict in three sentences
If you already have a digital skill, even at beginner level (writing, Canva, video editing, community management, data entry, translation, simple websites), and want to sell it to SMEs from Pikine or Guédiawaye, the course Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days (level 1 Beginner, 25,000 FCFA, about 38 EUR / 42 USD, 6 hours), taught in French, gives you a four-week plan. You need neither a NINEA nor sales experience: a smartphone with WhatsApp and a Wave or Orange Money account in your name are enough to start. The program aims for 1 to 3 first clients in 30 days, but the outcome depends mostly on how many prospects you actually contact, and no income is guaranteed.
The requirements, plainly
In Pikine, Thiaroye or Guédiawaye, many young people have a skill they use for friends and family without ever charging for it. The program of the course Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days starts from there.
| Frequent question | Answer | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need a computer? | Not to follow the course | A smartphone with WhatsApp is enough; a computer helps for some skills (editing, websites) |
| Do I need a NINEA? | No | Module 4 explains at what volume it becomes useful |
| Do I need sales experience? | No | Prospecting is taught step by step |
| Do I need a portfolio? | No | Module 1 has you produce a sample in 2 hours |
| Do I need a Wave or Orange Money account? | Yes, in your name | To collect deposits and balances |
| How much time per week? | About 1 h of lessons and 2 to 3 h of action | For 4 weeks, evenings or weekends |
The 30-day plan, module by module
| Week | Module | What you produce |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a sellable offer and set your rate (free) | Your one-sentence offer, your rate grid including Wave and Orange Money fees and a tax provision |
| 2 | Find 10 prospects and get a meeting | Project: your list of 10 prospects and your first 3 messages sent |
| 3 | Sell with a quote, collect via Wave and deliver | Your one-page quote and invoice templates, 50 % deposit |
| 4 | Measure, get a review and land the next client | Final project: your first-client file, your 30-day dashboard |
Each lesson lasts 12 to 15 minutes and ends with an exercise applied to your own offer. Each module has its PDF handout and quiz. Tools: WhatsApp Business, LinkedIn, Google Maps, Canva, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Wave, Orange Money and Calendly.
This course opens the Freelancing and Entrepreneurship track, whose five levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. The level 1 you bought is deducted if you then take the full track.
How much can a simple assignment pay?
| Simple assignment in Dakar | Common beginner rate (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| A series of posts for a shop | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA |
| A campaign visual on Canva | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA |
| A simple website page | 50,000 to 75,000 FCFA |
| A short translation | 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA |
| 3 to 5 assignments per month | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA in extra income |
These figures are 2026 estimates from the course program: they depend on the skill, the time available and the profile, and no income is guaranteed.
Mini case study
Consider a hypothetical learner: Ndèye, 23, in Guédiawaye, makes Canva visuals for her aunt's shop. She has no computer and no NINEA, just her phone and a Wave account.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative calculation: the course costs 25,000 FCFA. If, by following the plan, she signed a first assignment at 35,000 FCFA with a 50 % deposit, that is 17,500 FCFA collected on order, the course would be covered once the balance is paid. This is a hypothetical calculation: the first client may take longer than 30 days, or not come at all if prospecting stays light.
FAQ
How do I pay and when does my access open?
You pay 25,000 FCFA by Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33, against a pro forma invoice. Access is activated within 24 working hours after payment and is lifetime, updates included. The course is no longer refundable once access is activated: read the free module 1 first, "Choose a sellable offer and set your rate".
How do I get the certificate?
By completing the lessons and passing the quizzes of the four modules with at least 70 %. You receive a numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online (QR code), that you can add to LinkedIn. It is neither a degree nor an official certification, but it shows a prospect that you followed a method.
Is there a trainer to support me?
The course consists of written lessons, PDF handouts, exercises, quizzes and two projects to submit. There is no video, no live class and no individual coaching. For questions, you have the course forum and WhatsApp support.
Which skills can I sell with this method?
Seven skills are covered: writing, community management, Canva design, video editing, simple websites, data entry and virtual assistance, translation. The method is the same for all of them, with costed FCFA examples for each.
Does it work on a small data plan?
Yes. Lessons are text and PDF, with no app to install, and work on a phone over 3G. Allow about 6 hours of lessons and exercises in total, plus your prospecting time.
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Take the next step. Enroll in Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days: 6 hours, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), numbered Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online. 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.
