The verdict in three sentences
To start with artificial intelligence in Thiès you need neither a computer nor technical skills: a phone, WhatsApp and a free account on ChatGPT, Gemini or Meta AI are enough. The real obstacle is knowing what to ask, what to check and what never to paste into the tool. A short course of 5 hours at 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR or 44 USD) has you test five concrete uses in your own week and saves, as a 2026 order of magnitude, 1 to 3 hours a week, sometimes more for writing-heavy jobs.
What AI concretely changes for a beginner in Thiès
Generative AI does not replace your job. It speeds up the writing and organizing tasks that eat into your evenings: preparing a lesson sheet, replying politely to a customer, summarizing a long document, translating instructions, organizing a busy week. The estimates below are 2026 orders of magnitude for regular use after training.
| Profile in Thiès | Typical use | Time before | Time with AI | Estimated weekly gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle school teacher | Preparing exercises and answer keys | 4 h | 2 h 30 | 1 h 30 |
| Trader at the Central market | Customer messages, WhatsApp posts | 3 h | 1 h 30 | 1 h 30 |
| Student at Iba Der Thiam University | Lecture summaries, thesis outlines | 5 h | 3 h | 2 h |
| Administrative officer | Letters, minutes | 4 h | 2 h | 2 h |
| Workshop manager | Simple quotes, weekly schedule | 2 h | 1 h | 1 h |
These gains assume you reread every answer. AI sometimes invents facts, figures or references: learning to check it is part of the course.
Free or paid: what AI really costs in 2026
Many beginners think a subscription is required to start. It is not: the free versions are more than enough for the first months.
| Tool or option | 2026 cost | Enough to start | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free ChatGPT | 0 FCFA | Yes | Usage limits at peak hours |
| ChatGPT Plus | About 12,000 FCFA per month | Not needed | Only useful for intensive use |
| Free Gemini (Google) | 0 FCFA | Yes | Handy with a Gmail account |
| Meta AI in WhatsApp | 0 FCFA | Yes | Already on your phone |
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (excluding mobile data) | Partly | Scattered, nothing on data protection |
| In-person workshop in Dakar | 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA, plus transport from Thiès | Yes | One day, rarely followed up |
| Kolonell Academy, level 1 Beginner | 25,000 FCFA, one-off (about 38 EUR) | Yes | 5 h on your phone, self-paced |
The Discover AI and put it to work this week course, taught in French, is level 1 Beginner, at 25,000 FCFA for 5 hours in 4 modules: understanding what AI really is, getting started with the main tools, five useful uses this week, limits, risks and good practice. The final project is to spend a real week with AI on your own tasks and write your personal rules sheet.
And after level 1?
This first level does not aim at direct income. It is the foundation of the Artificial intelligence track, whose next levels lead to billable services. The 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA bought separately.
| Level | Content | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Beginner | Discover AI and use it this week | 25,000 FCFA | 5 h |
| 2 Beginner | Write, analyze and organize your work with AI | 50,000 FCFA | 10 h |
| 3 Intermediate | Generative AI for professionals | 75,000 FCFA | 12 h |
| 4 Intermediate | Automate your work with AI, no code | 100,000 FCFA | 20 h |
| 5 Advanced | AI consultant: sell and deliver engagements | 200,000 FCFA | 50 h |
Most beginners take level 1 alone, then decide on the next step once the first uses become habits.
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.
Mariama, 31, teaches French at a private middle school in Thiès. She also gives home tutoring on weekends at 3,000 FCFA per hour.
- Course cost: 25,000 FCFA, paid with Wave.
- Training time: 5 hours, over two evenings and a Sunday morning.
- Time saved after training: about 2 hours a week on preparing exercises and answer keys.
- Value of that time if she spends it tutoring: 2 hours times 3,000 FCFA, i.e. 6,000 FCFA per week.
- Payback: 25,000 divided by 6,000, i.e. about 4 weeks.
She keeps one strict rule learned in the course: never a student's name or a real grade in the tool. The gain remains an estimate and depends on her consistency.
FAQ
Do I need a computer to follow the course?
No, a smartphone with WhatsApp is enough. You also need an email address, preferably Gmail, to create the free accounts in a few minutes.
Do I take a risk by pasting my documents into ChatGPT?
Yes, if you put in personal data, confidential figures or client documents. One full module out of 4 is devoted to limits, risks and caution rules.
Should I pay for ChatGPT Plus at 12,000 FCFA a month?
Not to start. The free versions of ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta AI cover the five uses in the course.
How much mobile data do I need?
The short videos work on a standard data plan; allow about 1 to 2 GB for the full 5 hours. Conversations with AI use very little.
Is there a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end of level 1. It attests to the 5 hours followed and the project completed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover AI and put it to work this week: 5 hours on your phone, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), 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.
