The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, many graduates can do Canva design, writing or social media, but are waiting for a job that is slow to come. A first freelance job is billed, as an order of magnitude, at 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA (76 to 229 EUR), and aiming for 200,000 FCFA a month within 3 months is achievable with methodical prospecting. What is usually missing is not skill: it is a clear offer, a price and a list of 10 prospects approached the right way.
Which skills sell in Thiès in 2026
Thiès has construction SMEs, shops on Avenue Lamine Guèye, private schools, clinics and craftspeople who need digital assets but cannot hire. Here is what a beginner can charge, as a 2026 estimate.
| Skill | Typical job | First job rate | Rate after 6 months | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canva design | Simple logo + 10 social visuals | 50,000 FCFA | 80,000 to 120,000 FCFA | 1 week |
| Writing | 4 articles or website texts | 50,000 to 80,000 FCFA | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Social media management | Monthly package, 12 posts | 60,000 FCFA a month | 100,000 FCFA a month | Monthly |
| Video editing | 4 short TikTok or Reels videos | 40,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 80,000 FCFA | 1 week |
| Virtual assistance and data entry | 20 h of data entry or calendar management | 50,000 FCFA | 75,000 FCFA | 2 weeks |
| Simple no-code website | 3-page site | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | 2 weeks |
The golden rule: ask for a 50% deposit via Wave or Orange Money before starting, and the balance on delivery. That prevents most unpaid invoices.
Getting trained to find clients: the options
| Option | Cost | Duration | What you get | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free advice on YouTube and LinkedIn | 0 FCFA | Variable | Motivation, general tips | Poorly suited to the Senegalese market |
| One-on-one coaching in Dakar | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per session or pack | 1 to 3 sessions | Personalized advice | Price, Thiès-Dakar travel |
| International freelance platforms | 10 to 20% commission on every job | Several months to get a first review | Access to foreign clients | Global competition, payments in dollars |
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 « Digital freelancing: first clients in 30 days » | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 6 h | Sellable offer, pricing, prospecting scripts, signing 1 to 3 clients, Wave or Orange Money collection | Requires daily action |
| Full Freelancing and entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | From first clients to an agency and a profitable offer | Longer commitment |
The course Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days, taught in French, is level 1 of the Digital freelancing and entrepreneurship track. Its goal is simple: one offer, one price, 10 prospects contacted and a first client paid via Wave within 30 days. It ends with a verifiable certificate.
The 30-day plan
| Week | Action | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Choose a single offer and set a price | A one-line offer and a price, for example 50,000 FCFA |
| Week 1 | Prepare 3 work samples (portfolio) | A presentable WhatsApp or Canva page |
| Week 2 | List 10 prospects in Thiès (shops, schools, clinics) | List with name, number, observed need |
| Weeks 2 and 3 | Contact the 10 prospects with a script | 3 to 4 meetings or conversations |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | Send quotes and collect the deposit | 1 to 3 signed clients |
| Months 2 and 3 | Follow up, ask for referrals | Target 200,000 FCFA a month |
Mini case study
Fatou, 25, a communication graduate in Thiès, pays 25,000 FCFA for the course via Wave. She picks a single offer: « 10 Canva visuals a month for shops », at 50,000 FCFA. Out of 10 prospects contacted, she signs a fabric shop and a private school within 4 weeks, or 100,000 FCFA from the first month. By month 3, with a third client at 50,000 FCFA and a one-off logo job at 50,000 FCFA, she reaches 200,000 FCFA. The course pays for itself with half of the first deposit, as an order of magnitude and with no guaranteed result.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need a legal status to start freelancing in Thiès?
To start and test, many freelancers first bill as individuals. Beyond a few regular clients, an entreprenant or sole proprietorship status, available for a few tens of thousands of FCFA, secures the activity; this is covered at level 3 of the track.
How many prospects do I need to contact for a first client?
As an order of magnitude, 10 well-chosen prospects lead to 3 to 4 conversations and 1 to 3 clients. That is the basis of the course's 30-day plan.
How do I set my rate without underpricing?
Start from the real time needed and a rate of 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA per hour as a beginner, then raise it by 20 to 30% after your first client reviews.
Can I take the course while employed?
Yes, the 6 hours are self-paced, for example over 2 weeks of evenings. Many start freelancing as a side income.
How do I get paid safely?
Ask for a 50% deposit via Wave or Orange Money before starting, and the balance on delivery. The 25,000 FCFA course fee is also paid via Wave or Orange Money.
Take the next step. Enroll in Digital freelancing: land your first clients in 30 days: 6 h online, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), verifiable 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.
