The verdict in three sentences
When a freelancer in Dakar goes from two to six regular clients, the problem is no longer finding work but invoicing correctly, setting aside taxes and smoothing cash flow. Companies now demand a NINEA tax ID and a compliant invoice, and sometimes apply withholding tax, which surprises those who planned nothing. The Running your business course, level 3 Advanced (75,000 FCFA, 18 h) sets up your status, invoices, tax calendar and cash-flow budget, for less than a single month of an accountant.
Freelancer status and obligations in Senegal in 2026
| Option | Formalities | Taxation, 2026 ballpark | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal activity | None | No filing, but invoices rejected by companies | One-off jobs for individuals |
| Entreprenant (OHADA status) | Simple declaration at the one-stop shop, NINEA | Single global contribution (CGU) based on turnover | Freelancer starting with a few clients |
| Sole proprietorship registered at RCCM | RCCM registration + NINEA | CGU below the threshold, actual-profit regime above | Established freelancer, corporate clients |
| SUARL (single-member LLC) | Articles, capital, RCCM, NINEA | Corporate tax, 18% VAT under the actual regime | Business that hires or exceeds thresholds |
| Withholding by the client | Applied to some services | Often 5% of the amount, depending on your situation | Build it into the quote |
Thresholds, rates and scales change with finance laws: check your situation with the DGID tax office or a certified accountant. Module 1 also compares statuses in Côte d'Ivoire, useful if you bill clients in Abidjan.
Accountant, spreadsheet or course: what it costs
| Solution | 2026 cost | What you get | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handling everything alone without a method | 0 FCFA | Nothing structured | Penalties, forgotten unpaid invoices, cash gaps |
| External accountant | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA a month | Filings done for you | 300,000 to 900,000 FCFA a year, you don't understand your numbers |
| Invoicing software | 0 to 15,000 FCFA a month | Clean invoices | Doesn't tell you what to set aside or when |
| In-person workshop in Dakar | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA a day | General notions | Poorly suited to digital freelancers |
| Kolonell Running your business (level 3) | 75,000 FCFA, 18 h | Status chosen, quote and invoice templates, tax calendar, 12-month budget | Does not replace an accountant for an SUARL |
The course Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow, available in French and English, has six modules: choosing and setting up your status in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, issuing compliant quotes, invoices and credit notes, understanding taxes without bad surprises, collecting fast and recovering unpaid invoices, managing cash flow and paying yourself a stable income, and keeping simple books with a financial dashboard. It is level 3 of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track, whose 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Mini case study
Fictional example: Moussa, 29, a freelance graphic designer and community manager in Dakar, bills 5 clients for about 650,000 FCFA a month. Two clients pay 60 days late and one applies a 5% withholding he had not planned for, 32,500 FCFA less per month from that client. After the course at 75,000 FCFA paid via Wave, he adds the withholding to his quotes, asks for a 40% deposit, follows up at D+7 and D+15 and sets aside 15% of every payment in a separate account. Estimated result: he recovers about 50,000 FCFA a month in lost income and avoids paying an accountant 40,000 FCFA a month for his entreprenant status. The combined gain, around 90,000 FCFA a month, pays back the course in under 4 weeks. This calculation is an illustration; every tax situation is different.
FAQ
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Is a NINEA mandatory to invoice a company?
In practice yes: most companies and NGOs in Dakar refuse an invoice without a NINEA. The entreprenant status lets you obtain one with light formalities and low fees.
How much should I set aside for taxes?
A prudent rule is to set aside 10 to 20% of every payment depending on your regime. Module 3 helps you calculate your own rate and build a 12-month calendar.
Does the course replace an accountant?
For an entreprenant or a small sole proprietorship, it often lets you manage alone and save 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA a month. For an SUARL under the actual regime with 18% VAT, keep an accountant but steer your numbers better.
What if a client doesn't pay?
Module 4 provides a 4-step follow-up sequence, formal notice templates and 30 to 50% deposit clauses. Most delays are settled before the legal stage.
How do I pay for enrolment?
The 75,000 FCFA (about 115 EUR) enrolment is paid via Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Running your business: invoicing, taxes and cash flow: 18 h online, 75,000 FCFA, verifiable Kolonell Academy 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.
