The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, many freelancers in design, video, development or marketing turn down projects for lack of time while demand from SMEs keeps growing. Moving to a 3 to 5-person agency only pays if every job keeps a 30 to 40% margin, with written processes, fairly paid subcontractors and hires that do not cost 1,500,000 FCFA (about 2,285 EUR) when they go wrong. The course Grow your agency: process, subcontracting and hiring, 28 h for 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), gives you the method to make that move without draining your cash.
Overloaded freelancer or small agency: what changes
| Indicator | Saturated solo freelancer | Well-run 3 to 5-person agency |
|---|---|---|
| Projects handled per month | 2 to 3 | 6 to 10 |
| Indicative monthly revenue | 800,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (1,220-2,285 EUR) | 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA (4,575-9,145 EUR) |
| Founder's time in production | 80 to 90% | 30 to 40% |
| Net margin per project | 60 to 70%, but capped | 30 to 40% on 3 times the volume |
| Dependence on the founder | Total | Partial, thanks to procedures |
| Main risk | Burnout, delays | Payroll not covered |
These amounts are 2026 orders of magnitude for the Dakar market. You do not start by hiring: most agencies begin with subcontracting.
Subcontract or hire: the real costs in Dakar
| Resource | Indicative 2026 cost | Extra charges | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior subcontractor (integration, editing) | 25,000 to 35,000 FCFA a day (38-53 EUR) | No contributions, invoice or receipt | Peaks, well-defined tasks |
| Senior subcontractor (dev, UX, motion) | 40,000 to 60,000 FCFA a day (61-91 EUR) | No contributions | Occasional expertise |
| Junior employee | 250,000 to 350,000 FCFA gross a month | Employer IPRES and CSS, about 20 to 24% of gross | Steady load of 15+ days a month |
| Senior employee | 450,000 to 700,000 FCFA gross a month | Same contributions, plus equipment | Key role, project manager |
| Intern | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA a month | Internship agreement | Training, simple tasks |
| Bad hire (3 months) | about 1,500,000 FCFA (2,285 EUR) | Salary, charges, delays, lost clients | Avoid with a probation period and a test |
The key calculation is the switch-over point: a junior at 300,000 FCFA gross costs about 370,000 FCFA with charges, the price of 11 to 15 days of subcontracting. Below that steady volume, subcontract.
The Grow your agency course: process, subcontracting and hiring, taught in French, is level 4 Career of the freelance track: 8 modules, 28 hours, 100,000 FCFA. Standardised offers, written procedures, project management, contract-framed subcontracting, first hires, quality control and agency finances. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Not there yet? The Freelance and digital entrepreneurship track starts with first clients, quotes and invoicing. All 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 535 EUR instead of 685 EUR).
Calculating your margin per project
| Line on a showcase website project | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price charged to the client | 1,200,000 FCFA (1,830 EUR) |
| Developer subcontractor, 8 days at 45,000 FCFA | 360,000 FCFA |
| Designer subcontractor, 3 days at 40,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA |
| Founder's project management, 4 days valued at 50,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA |
| Tools, hosting, licences | 60,000 FCFA |
| Gross margin | 460,000 FCFA, about 38% |
Without process, days slip: 4 extra subcontracting days at 45,000 FCFA drop the margin to about 23%. That is why the course stresses scoping, specifications and staged sign-offs.
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 31, a freelance developer in Sacré-Cœur, bills about 1,200,000 FCFA a month and turns down 2 projects a month.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- He takes the course: 100,000 FCFA, 28 hours over 6 weeks.
- He then accepts 2 extra projects at 1,200,000 FCFA, partly handed to two subcontractors.
- At a 35% margin, he earns 840,000 FCFA more margin a month (about 1,280 EUR).
- The course pays for itself from the first subcontracted project, and he avoids rushing to hire an employee who would have cost about 370,000 FCFA a month with charges before the volume was there.
These amounts illustrate the method and remain estimates: your real margin depends on your prices and scoping discipline.
FAQ
When should I build an agency rather than stay freelance?
A good signal is turning down at least 2 projects a month for 3 months. Below that, raise your prices or standardise your offers first.
Do subcontractors need to be declared to IPRES and CSS?
No, an independent subcontractor invoices for the service and handles their own contributions. However, a subcontractor working full time under your direction can be reclassified as an employee: the course covers the contractual safeguards.
How much do employee contributions cost in Senegal?
On the employer side, IPRES and CSS represent about 20 to 24% of gross salary depending on risk and scheme. A gross salary of 300,000 FCFA therefore costs about 360,000 to 372,000 FCFA.
What do I need before taking this level 4 course?
Regular clients and revenue of at least 500,000 FCFA a month are recommended. Otherwise, start with levels 1 to 3 of the track, from 25,000 FCFA.
How do I pay for the course?
The 100,000 FCFA is paid with Wave or Orange Money, and a verifiable certificate is issued after the 28 hours.
Take the next step. Enroll in Grow your agency: process, subcontracting and hiring: 28 h in 8 modules, 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), verifiable 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.
