The verdict in three sentences
In Mbour and Saly, many digital freelancers work for hotels, holiday residences and NGOs, but get paid without an invoice or a NINEA, which shuts them out of the best-paying clients. A suitable legal status, compliant invoices and a three-month cash reserve change your real income more than a new client does. The "Running your business" course at 75,000 FCFA sets these foundations in 18 hours.
The typical freelancer problem in Mbour and Saly
The tourist season creates order peaks (photo shoots, menus, visuals, page management) between November and April, followed by a slump. Money lands on Wave, mixes with personal spending, and one day a Petite-Côte hotel asks for a NINEA before paying a 600,000 FCFA invoice. Here are the status options, as a 2026 order of magnitude:
| Status | Formalities | Indicative cost (FCFA) | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal | None | 0 | Small amounts, individuals only |
| Sole proprietorship (APIX) | NINEA and RCCM at the one-stop shop | A few tens of thousands | Freelancers invoicing companies |
| Sole proprietorship + VAT | Registration and VAT option or threshold | Same, plus 18% VAT management | Large VAT-registered clients |
| SUARL (single-member LLC) | Articles, capital, full accounting | Several hundred thousand | Business that hires or outgrows the simplified regime |
| Entreprenant (Côte d'Ivoire, CEPICI) | Simplified declaration | Low | Freelancer based in Abidjan |
The right choice depends on your revenue, your clients and their invoice requirements. Module 1 of the course helps you decide with figures in hand.
Taxes: what a freelancer pays in Senegal
| Tax or levy | Principle | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| CGU (single global contribution) | Simplified tax for small businesses | 0.5 to 8% of revenue depending on activity |
| BNC actual regime | For service providers outside the CGU | Profit taxed on the scale |
| Income tax (IR) | Personal income tax | Progressive scale |
| VAT | If you are registered | 18% charged and paid over |
| Withholding tax | Deducted by some structured clients | Depends on the provider's status |
| Cash reserve | Not a tax, a survival rule | 3 months of fixed costs |
Exact rates depend on your activity and change with finance laws: the course teaches you to build your tax sheet and filing calendar, then check them with the tax office or an accountant.
Training: the options compared
| Option | Cost (FCFA, 2026) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Advice in WhatsApp groups | 0 | Contradictory opinions, nothing verified |
| One-off meeting with an accountant | 25,000 to 75,000 | One answer, no method |
| In-person entrepreneurship workshop | 50,000 to 150,000 | General notions on starting a business |
| Kolonell "Running your business", level 3 | 75,000 (about 115 EUR) | 18 h, 6 modules, invoice templates, cash plan, certificate |
| Freelance and entrepreneurship track (5 levels) | 350,000 instead of 450,000 | From first clients to an agency |
The course Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow is level 3 of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track, taught in French. Its 6 modules cover choosing a status (NINEA, RCCM, CEPICI), compliant quotes, invoices and credit notes, freelancer taxes, collecting payment and recovering unpaid bills, managing cash flow with a fixed monthly income, and simple bookkeeping in Google Sheets or Zoho Invoice.
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.
Ibrahima, 29, a photographer and graphic designer in Saly, takes in 500,000 FCFA a month on average, but 120,000 FCFA of work goes unpaid each quarter and two hotels refuse to work with him without a NINEA. After the course he registers as a sole proprietor, numbers his invoices and applies a reminder procedure at D+7, D+15 and D+30. He recovers 90,000 FCFA of unpaid bills in the first quarter and signs an annual contract with a hotel at 150,000 FCFA a month. He sets aside 20% of every payment until he reaches 450,000 FCFA, three months of costs. The 75,000 FCFA course is covered by first-quarter recovery alone (order of magnitude; no income is guaranteed).
FAQ
Do I have to start a company to take this course?
No. Module 1 helps you decide, and some learners conclude it is too early. Invoices, reminders and cash flow apply whatever your status, even below 300,000 FCFA of monthly revenue.
How much CGU does a digital freelancer pay?
The rate varies by activity, from 0.5 to 8% of revenue as an order of magnitude. The course shows you how to estimate your amount and set it aside every month.
Can I invoice a European client in euros?
Yes. The course templates handle invoices in FCFA and in foreign currency, using the fixed parity of 655.957 FCFA to 1 euro.
What cash reserve should I aim for?
Three months of fixed costs, for example 450,000 FCFA if your costs are 150,000 FCFA a month. It protects you during the low tourist season.
How long does it take and how do I pay?
18 hours of content, 75,000 FCFA, payment by Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow: 18 hours, 6 modules, 75,000 FCFA, certificate included. 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.
