The verdict in three sentences
A web or marketing freelancer in Saint-Louis who bills 500,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per month and turns projects down has hit their hours ceiling, not their market ceiling. Growing into a small agency takes three things that are learned, not improvised: standardised offers, tested subcontractors with a calculated margin and a first hire whose full cost you know. A 28-hour career course at 100,000 FCFA costs less than one bad hire or one subcontracted project sold at a loss.
The freelancer's ceiling: run the numbers before hiring
In Saint-Louis, clients are not the problem: hotels on the island and the Langue de Barbarie, private schools, agricultural SMEs in the river valley, NGOs and funded projects. Time is. A solo freelancer rarely bills more than 120 productive hours a month, the rest going to prospecting, quotes, reminders and admin.
| Situation (2026 order of magnitude) | Solo freelancer | Small agency (you + 1 subcontractor + 1 junior) |
|---|---|---|
| Projects delivered per month | 2-3 | 5-7 |
| Monthly revenue | 500,000-1,200,000 FCFA | 1,500,000-3,000,000 FCFA |
| Your production hours | 100-120 h | 40-60 h (the rest in sales and quality control) |
| External production costs | 0 FCFA | 450,000-1,100,000 FCFA |
| Estimated net margin | 70-80% | 35-50% |
| Main risk | Burnout, delays | Uneven quality, cash flow |
The margin percentage drops, but the amount left over rises, and above all it no longer depends only on your nights. This calculation is the starting point of the course's first module: checking, figures in hand, that the time has come.
Subcontract or hire: comparing 2026 costs
You have two levers. A subcontractor is paid per project and stays flexible. An employee costs every month, but learns your processes and becomes reliable.
| Resource in Saint-Louis or remote | Cost 2026 (estimate) | Advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcontracted developer, per showcase site | 150,000-400,000 FCFA | No fixed cost | Deadlines, code ownership |
| Subcontracted designer, per visual identity | 75,000-200,000 FCFA | One-off specialist | Sticking to the brief |
| Salaried junior developer | 200,000-350,000 FCFA per month | Availability, skill growth | IPRES and CSS social charges on top |
| Supervised intern | 50,000-100,000 FCFA stipend | Low cost | Supervision time |
| Part-time admin assistant | 100,000-150,000 FCFA per month | Frees you from follow-ups | Written processes essential |
A simple rule taught in the course: a subcontractor should not cost more than 40 to 50% of the price sold to the client, otherwise your margin covers neither project management nor revisions.
What the course covers, and where it sits
The course Grow your agency: processes, subcontracting and hiring is level 4 Career of the Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track and is taught in French. It includes 8 modules, 128 corrected exercises and 8 workshops on fictional agencies costed in FCFA. You choose your model (collective, studio or agency), narrow your catalogue to three flagship offers plus a subscription, write the procedures that let you delegate, test subcontractors, run a first hire based on a practical test, then build the agency's finances and a 12-month plan.
Honest prerequisite: this level is for people already selling regularly, ideally 500,000 FCFA per month or more, with clean invoicing. If that is not you yet, start with the earlier levels of the track. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
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.
Abdou, 31, freelance web developer in Saint-Louis, bills 900,000 FCFA per month and turns down two hotel websites every quarter. He takes the 100,000 FCFA course, paid via Wave. He standardises a showcase offer sold at 600,000 FCFA, hands production to a subcontractor at 250,000 FCFA, and keeps the client relationship and final review. With 2 extra projects per month, he generates about 700,000 FCFA of additional gross margin, before his follow-up hours. The course pays for itself with the first delegated project (illustrative scenario, results not guaranteed).
FAQ
At what revenue level should I become an agency?
As a 2026 benchmark, when you exceed 500,000 FCFA per month and turn down projects at least once a month. Below that, prospecting and invoicing remain the priority.
How do I find reliable subcontractors outside Dakar?
Test them on a small paid task of 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA before any client project. The course provides a test grid and a template contract with a code ownership clause.
How much does hiring cost on top of salary?
As an order of magnitude, add 20 to 25% of gross pay for social contributions, plus equipment and onboarding time. A junior at 250,000 FCFA therefore costs closer to 310,000 FCFA per month.
How long does the course take?
28 hours in total, so 5 to 7 weeks at 4 to 5 hours a week. Each module has a PDF handout and a quiz.
Do I need to set up a company to become an agency?
Not necessarily at first: many start as sole proprietors. The course helps you choose when to move to an SARL or SUARL based on revenue and clients.
Take the next step. Enroll in Grow your agency: processes, subcontracting and hiring: 28 hours, 100,000 FCFA, certificate verifiable online, 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.
