The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, many designers, developers and community managers get paid by Wave with no invoice, no NINEA tax ID and no cash buffer, until the day a company demands a proper invoice or two slow months empty the account. Getting organised costs little: a trade register filing of 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA, a clean invoice and a 3-month cash reserve. The Kolonell course Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow (level 3 of the track, Intermediate, 75,000 FCFA, 18 h, taught in French) gives you the method.
What staying informal really costs
Staying informal looks free. In practice it closes doors and loses money.
| Situation | Frequent consequence (2026 order of magnitude) | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| No invoice | SMEs and NGOs cannot pay you, 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA contracts lost | Compliant invoice template, numbering, mandatory mentions |
| No NINEA or trade register | Excluded from corporate work and supplier calls | Procedures, documents, real costs |
| Personal and business money mixed | No idea what you actually earn | Dedicated account or Wave wallet, monthly sheet |
| No payment reminders | 10 to 20% of revenue paid late or never | Reminder schedule at D+7, D+15, D+30 |
| No reserve | One slow month forces you to slash prices | 3-months-of-costs reserve rule |
| Taxes ignored | Possible reassessments and penalties | How the single global contribution works by revenue |
In Senegal, small taxpayers generally fall under the contribution globale unique (CGU, single global contribution), calculated on revenue and type of activity. Rates and thresholds change with finance laws: the course teaches you to read your situation and check figures with the Thiès tax office, rather than memorise a scale that will change.
What getting organised costs, and the course
| Item | Indicative 2026 cost | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Trade register filing (sole proprietorship) | 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA | Depending on registry and filing fees |
| NINEA | Free or nearly | Obtained at registration |
| Invoicing software | 0 to 10,000 FCFA a month | A good spreadsheet is enough to start |
| Occasional external accountant | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA per return | Optional if you keep your own books |
| Kolonell Running your business course | 75,000 FCFA, 18 h | Invoicing, tax, cash flow, certificate |
| Freelance and entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From first clients to running an agency |
The Running your business course: invoicing, taxes and cash flow has you issue invoices and reminders, understand your tax obligations and track your cash flow every month in a simple sheet. It is taken online, at your own pace, with quizzes and a verifiable certificate.
A simple cash-flow rule
The rule taught boils down to three steps: every payment is split into costs, provisioned taxes and your own pay, then a share goes into a reserve until it covers 3 months of costs. For a freelancer with fixed costs of 150,000 FCFA a month (internet, software, transport, equipment), the target is 450,000 FCFA. Setting aside 15% of every payment gets you there in 8 to 12 months on revenue of 300,000 to 400,000 FCFA a month.
This course is level 3 of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track, which runs from finding your first clients to growing an agency. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Moussa, 27, a graphic designer in Thiès, bills about 350,000 FCFA a month to around ten clients, almost all paid by Wave with no invoice. A company in Diamniadio offers him a 600,000 FCFA contract, provided he supplies an invoice with a NINEA.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Course cost: 75,000 FCFA, plus about 20,000 FCFA for registration.
- Contract unlocked by getting organised: 600,000 FCFA.
- As a bonus, regular reminders recover about 35,000 FCFA of unpaid invoices a month.
With this single contract, the 95,000 FCFA investment is covered by the first payment. This scenario is illustrative and does not commit any client or result.
FAQ
Do I have to set up a company to invoice?
No, a sole proprietorship listed on the trade register is enough for most freelancers, for 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA. A company becomes useful when revenue and partners grow.
How much tax will I pay?
It depends on your revenue and activity, which is why understanding the single global contribution regime matters. The course helps you estimate your amount and check it with the tax office, without promising a fixed figure.
Is a spreadsheet enough or do I need software?
To start, a free Google Sheets file with invoice numbering is enough. Software at 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA a month becomes worthwhile beyond about 20 invoices a month.
How long does it take to set everything up?
The 18 h of lessons take 3 to 4 weeks at 1 h a day. Registration usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the office.
Is the course only for Senegal?
The tax examples are Senegalese, but invoicing, reminders and cash flow also apply in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali or Benin. Amounts are in FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow: 18 h, 75,000 FCFA, verifiable certificate, taught in French. 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.
