The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, a secretary earns, as a 2026 order of magnitude, 150,000 to 230,000 FCFA a month, while an executive assistant earns 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA, and 350,000 to 700,000 FCFA in Dakar. The gap is not about the diploma but about a few precise skills: executive diary management, meeting minutes, filing, Excel reporting and sensitive communication. The Kolonell course "Executive assistant: office tools, organization and communication" (40 h, 200,000 FCFA, about EUR 305) covers them all and leaves you with a 10-project portfolio. It is taught in French.
Secretary or executive assistant: what really changes
A secretary executes. An executive assistant anticipates: she protects the executive's time, prepares files before they are requested and can produce a board dashboard in an hour. Companies in Thiès (cement plants, construction, agri-food, mining subsidiaries) and in Dakar look for this profile.
| Criterion | Secretary (Thiès, 2026) | Executive assistant (Thiès) | Executive assistant (Dakar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net monthly salary | 150,000 to 230,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA | 350,000 to 700,000 FCFA |
| Main contact | Department head | CEO or CFO | CEO, board, partners |
| Diary | One-off appointments | Full diary with priorities | Multi-executive diary, travel |
| Meetings | Simple note-taking | Notices and minutes | Board meetings, general meetings |
| Tools | Word, mail | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, file sharing | Advanced Excel reporting, collaboration tools |
| Confidentiality | Medium | High | Very high (HR, finance, legal) |
Indicative 2026 ranges, depending on company size. A multinational in Dakar may pay above 700,000 FCFA; no salary is guaranteed.
Which course to choose, and at what price
The course Executive assistant: office tools, organization and communication is level 5, the most advanced, of the Office tools and productivity track. It has 10 modules, each ending with a portfolio project graded against a rubric.
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Content | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell, level 5 Advanced (online) | 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305) | 40 h | Diary, mail, minutes, OHADA filing, Excel reporting, travel, procedures manual | 10 projects + certificate |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Level 1 to level 5 | Basic office tools up to executive support | 5 certificates |
| Executive assistant BTS (private school) | 500,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA per year | 2 years | Full curriculum, little real practice | Diploma |
| Short in-person course in Dakar | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA + travel from Thiès | 3 to 5 days | Often focused on a single tool | Attendance certificate |
| Free tutorials | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | Isolated tools, no secretarial method | None |
If you already use Word and Excel daily, level 5 alone is enough. If you are starting further back, the full track at 350,000 FCFA costs less than buying the levels one by one.
The skills that make the difference at interview
Recruiters in Thiès and Dakar often test three things: drafting an administrative letter in 20 minutes, organizing a week of diary with conflicts, and formatting an Excel tracking sheet. The course drills exactly these exercises, plus a filing plan aligned with OHADA practice and Senegal's personal data law, a point that reassures finance and HR departments.
Mini case study
Ndèye, 29, a secretary at a construction company in Thiès, earns 180,000 FCFA net a month. She completes the 40 hours over ten weeks at 4 hours a week, then presents to her director the secretariat procedures manual she wrote as her final project.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Cost: 200,000 FCFA, paid by Wave in one go.
- Outcome: executive assistant role at 300,000 FCFA net.
- Gain: 120,000 FCFA a month, i.e. 1,440,000 FCFA over a year.
- Payback: the course is covered in under two months of the new salary.
Fictional example, 2026 order of magnitude: progression depends on the employer and the available role.
FAQ
Can I become an executive assistant without a BTS?
Yes, many SMEs and subsidiaries hire on experience and proof of skills. A portfolio of 10 graded projects often makes up for the lack of a diploma for a role at 250,000 FCFA or more.
How much does an executive assistant earn in Thiès in 2026?
As an order of magnitude, 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA net a month depending on the company. In Dakar the range rises to 350,000 to 700,000 FCFA, more in a multinational.
What level do I need before starting?
You should use Word and Excel daily. Otherwise, start with the earlier levels of the track, offered at 350,000 FCFA for all 5 levels instead of 450,000.
How much time per week should I plan?
At 4 hours a week, the 40 hours take about 10 weeks. The pace is flexible, which suits people already in a job.
How do I pay for the course?
The price is 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305, about USD 330). Payment is by Wave or Orange Money.
Take the next step. Enroll in Executive assistant: office tools, organization and communication: 40 h, 200,000 FCFA (EUR 305), 10 modules, 10 portfolio projects and a 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.
