The verdict in three sentences
If you are a teacher, trader or student in Thiès and have never opened ChatGPT, 5 hours are enough to use it productively this week. Kolonell's Discover AI and use it this week course (level 1 Essential, 25,000 FCFA, on your phone, taught in French) shows you how to write a letter, prepare a lesson, price a quote or answer a customer with AI. It costs three times less than a workshop in Dakar, without the trip on the toll highway.
How much does a first AI course cost from Thiès
In Thiès, local AI training is still rare in 2026. Most workshops take place in Dakar, 70 km away.
| Option | 2026 price (estimate) | Total time | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person AI workshop in Dakar | 75,000 FCFA | 1 day plus 3 h of travel | Transport 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA, a lost work day |
| Company or school seminar | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 days | Only for organizations that pay |
| YouTube and TikTok videos | 0 FCFA | Variable | Often in English, paid tools promoted |
| Kolonell Discover AI | 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) | 5 h, on your phone | None |
| Full Artificial Intelligence track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | About 100 h | Longer commitment |
Everything uses the free versions of ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta AI (the one already inside your WhatsApp). No subscription is needed. The full syllabus is on the Discover AI beginner course page.
What you will be able to do after 5 hours
The course has 4 modules: understanding what AI really is, getting started with the main tools, five useful uses this week, then limits, risks and good practices. Here are the practical cases by profile, with estimated time saved.
| Profile in Thiès | Task with AI | Before | After (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school teacher | Prepare a lesson sheet and 10 questions | 2 h | 40 min |
| Trader at the Central market | Write a clear quote for a customer | 45 min | 15 min |
| Shop manager | Answer frequent WhatsApp messages | 1 h a day | 20 min a day |
| Student at Iba Der Thiam University | Summarize a 20-page chapter | 1 h 30 | 30 min |
| Administrative officer | Write an official letter | 40 min | 10 min |
| All profiles | Check an AI answer and spot an error | Rarely done | Reflex acquired |
This course does not promise direct income. Its gain is time, 1 to 3 hours a week depending on how much writing your work involves. It is also the foundation for the next levels of the Artificial Intelligence track, which lead to billable services.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
Module 4 stresses three concrete points. First, never paste sensitive data into ChatGPT: card numbers, student files, medical information. Second, always check figures, dates and references, because AI can invent a law or a statistic. Third, keep your own voice: a generated letter must be reread and adapted to the recipient, especially in Wolof or formal administrative French.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Mariama, 34, a French teacher at a high school in Thiès, spends about 6 hours a week preparing lessons, exercises and report comments. She takes the course (25,000 FCFA) over two evenings on her phone.
- Lesson sheets and exercises: from 4 h to 2 h a week.
- Report comments and letters to parents: from 2 h to 1 h.
- Gain: 3 hours a week, about 12 hours a month.
If she values one hour of private tutoring at 2,500 FCFA, those 12 hours are worth 30,000 FCFA a month of recovered time: the course pays for itself in under four weeks.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to use a computer? No, the course runs entirely on an Android phone or iPhone. A 3G connection and about 500 MB of data are enough for the 5 hours.
Do I have to pay for ChatGPT? No, everything uses the free versions of ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta AI. A paid subscription, around 13,000 FCFA a month, is only useful for heavy use.
Is it suitable if I mostly speak Wolof? Lessons are in simple French, and you will learn to get clear French answers from AI. The tools partly understand Wolof in 2026, always to be checked.
What comes after level 1? Level 2 of the track (50,000 FCFA) builds AI into your work. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Is there a certificate? Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end, shareable on LinkedIn or WhatsApp.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover AI and use it this week: 5 hours on your phone in French, 25,000 FCFA, 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.
