The verdict in three sentences
If you have never sold an assignment yet, start with level 1, "Digital freelancing: landing your first clients in 30 days" (25,000 FCFA, about 38 EUR, 6 h). If you have already been paid at least once by an SME and every sale ends with a price cut, go straight to level 2, "Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation" (50,000 FCFA, about 76 EUR, 10 h). Both are rated Beginner, but they solve different problems: finding clients, or getting them to pay a fair price.
The two-question test
Before comparing programs, answer these two questions honestly.
- Have you already been paid for at least one assignment by an SME (Wave, Orange Money or cash)? If not, level 1 is for you.
- When a manager asks "how much?", can you answer other than by sending a price on WhatsApp and cutting it at the first "that's expensive"? If not, and your answer to question 1 is yes, level 2 is for you.
Level 2 states this prerequisite itself: having taken level 1 or having already sold at least one paid assignment to an SME.
What each level has you produce
| Criterion | Level 1: first clients | Level 2: selling your services |
|---|---|---|
| Price and duration | 25,000 FCFA, 6 h | 50,000 FCFA, 10 h |
| For whom | You have never sold | You already have at least one paid assignment |
| Offer | One-sentence offer, one-page sheet with 3 packages | Three-tier offer in a niche, with a one-page case study |
| Pricing | Rate based on your time, Wave and Orange Money fees, taxes | Value pricing, monthly retainer, options, rush fee, diaspora rate in euros |
| Selling | 10 prospects, WhatsApp and LinkedIn scripts, one-page quote | Eight-question discovery guide, score out of 10, three-page proposal |
| Objections | Not covered in detail | Answers to the seven objections, the trade-off rule |
| Contract | Compliant quote and invoice, deposit | One-page terms and conditions, written agreement via WhatsApp |
| Final project | First-client file | Complete sales file, from discovery to signature |
The level 2 course Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation, taught in French, has five modules and 20 text lessons of 12 to 18 minutes, each ending with an exercise applied to your own offer, with a PDF handout and a quiz per module. Two projects are to be submitted: your three-tier offer with its price grid (module 2), then your complete sales file (module 5). Module 4 also covers negotiating with a structured company: purchase orders, 30-day payment terms, withholding tax.
How much each level can change, as an order of magnitude
The two course pages give 2026 orders of magnitude for Dakar and Abidjan. They depend on your skill, your niche and the number of prospects you meet; no income is guaranteed.
| Situation | Price of an assignment or retainer | Possible monthly total (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner freelancer (level 1), simple assignment | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA with 3 to 5 assignments |
| Tiered offer (level 2), standard tier | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Depends on the number of clients signed |
| Tiered offer (level 2), monthly retainer | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month | 250,000 to 600,000 FCFA with 2 to 4 active clients |
| Cost of level 1 | 25,000 FCFA | One-time payment, lifetime access |
| Cost of level 2 | 50,000 FCFA | One-time payment, lifetime access |
| Full Freelance and Entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Up to running and growing the business |
For comparison, an in-person sales training in Dakar costs, as an order of magnitude, 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA for one or two days, with no deliverables of your own. After level 2, the Digital Freelance and Entrepreneurship track continues with level 3, "Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow".
Mini case study
Consider a hypothetical learner: Mariama, 26, a community manager in Dakar. She has three small clients she bills 40,000 FCFA a month each, after cutting her prices at every negotiation.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Illustrative calculation: she takes level 2 for 50,000 FCFA. If, hypothetically, she moved just one client to a 90,000 FCFA retainer (within the quoted range), she would earn 50,000 FCFA more a month, the price of the course in one month. This scenario is made up for illustration and implies no result: the client may refuse, and the method precisely teaches reducing scope rather than giving in on price.
FAQ
I took level 1: what does level 2 add?
Level 1 gets you a first client with a simple offer and a one-page quote. Level 2 helps you sell at higher prices and more often: three tiers, value pricing, a three-page proposal and a pipeline of 15 to 30 opportunities reviewed every Friday.
I have no NINEA tax ID: can I take level 2?
Yes. Quotes and terms work without a legal status, with the mention "VAT not applicable". Module 4 explains what a structured company requires, and level 3 covers legal status and taxes.
How much time should I plan?
About 10 hours for level 2, that is 2 to 3 hours a week for 4 weeks. Level 1 takes about 6 hours, on a 30-day plan.
How do I pay and when does access open?
By Wave or Orange Money at +221 77 596 93 33; access is activated within 24 working hours and stays open for life, updates included. It is not refundable once activated: read the free module 1 first to check it is the right level.
Is there a certificate?
Yes. By passing the module quizzes at 70% minimum, you receive a numbered Kolonell Academy certificate, verifiable online by QR code, which you can add to LinkedIn; your final project must also be approved by a reviewer. The course is self-paced, taught in French, with the course forum and WhatsApp support, and no live classes.
---
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 h, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), 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.
