The verdict in three sentences
If you have never spoken English, your first goal is not grammar but a one-minute self-introduction delivered without reading and around forty survival phrases. To get there in Dakar in 2026, a guided online course at 25,000 FCFA costs less than a single month at a language school, provided you practise 20 to 30 minutes a day. Private lessons become worthwhile afterwards, to correct your speaking, not to learn the alphabet.
How much beginner English costs in Dakar in 2026
The prices below are 2026 orders of magnitude observed in Dakar (Plateau, Point E, Sacré-Cœur, Parcelles). They vary by neighbourhood, group size and the school's reputation.
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Hours | Cost per hour | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language school, beginner group | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA per month | 12 to 16 h per month | 3,300 to 5,000 FCFA | Fixed schedule, groups of 10 to 20 |
| Private lesson at home | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | Flexible | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA | High budget over 3 months |
| Institute with certification (TOEIC, etc.) | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA per session | 40 to 60 h | 3,500 to 5,000 FCFA | School pace, little work-related speaking |
| Free YouTube videos and apps | 0 FCFA (data: 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA per month) | Unlimited | Almost zero | No progression, no correction |
| Kolonell course 'Beginner English' | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR, about 44 USD) | 13 guided hours | About 1,900 FCFA | No live teacher at every lesson |
The course Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood is level 1 (Essential) of the track, at 25,000 FCFA. It is taught in French and contains 4 modules, 20 lessons and 76 corrected exercises, with dialogues set in Dakar, Abidjan, Bamako or Accra. Payment is by Wave or Orange Money.
What you can do after 13 hours
A complete beginner does not become bilingual in 13 hours. They can, however, reach a precise goal that is useful at work. Here is what each module covers.
| Module | Content | Concrete result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sounds, alphabet and numbers | Sounds that trap French speakers (th, h, long vowels), spelling, figures and prices | Spell your name, give a number, quote a price |
| 2. Greeting, introducing yourself, being polite | Polite phrases, introduction, origin, job | Recorded one-minute introduction |
| 3. Present simple and daily vocabulary | Work verbs, schedules, habits | Describe your work and your hours |
| 4. Making yourself understood | Asking someone to repeat, slow down, spell, asking the way | Survival sheet of 40 phrases |
| Final project | Introduction reviewed by an instructor | Numbered certificate verifiable online |
You also leave with a glossary of 300 useful words and a pronunciation sheet. To go further, the Professional English track chains 5 levels, from emails and phone calls to business English. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 if you buy the levels separately.
What English earns you at this level
At this stage English is not billed on its own. It mostly opens jobs and sales. 2026 orders of magnitude in Dakar, with no guarantee:
| Situation | Without English | With basic English | Indicative monthly gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist, hotel | 150,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 180,000 to 250,000 FCFA | +20,000 to +50,000 FCFA |
| Shop assistant, Almadies or Plateau | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 130,000 to 190,000 FCFA | +20,000 to +40,000 FCFA |
| Ride-hailing driver or guide | French-speaking clients | Tourists and expatriates as well | Depends on volume |
| Trader at Sandaga or Colobane | Sales lost to Gambian or Ghanaian buyers | Sales closed | Depends on basket size |
| Applicant for an NGO job | File often rejected | 'Basic English' criterion met | Access to the shortlist |
Mini case study
Fatou, 22, a sales assistant in a clothing shop in Almadies, regularly loses English-speaking customers. She compares two options over three months:
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Language school: 3 months at 60,000 FCFA, i.e. 180,000 FCFA, plus about 15,000 FCFA of transport.
- Online course: 25,000 FCFA, plus 4 private speaking-correction lessons at 7,500 FCFA, i.e. 55,000 FCFA in total.
Saving: 140,000 FCFA. If, after her 13 hours, her manager puts her in charge of foreign customers with a bonus of 25,000 FCFA per month, the 55,000 FCFA investment is covered in just over two months, about 9 weeks. This is an estimate: the bonus depends on the employer.
FAQ
Do I need some English already to follow this course?
No. The course starts from the alphabet and numbers, and everything is explained in French. It also suits people who have forgotten their school English, which is the case for many adults in Dakar.
How long does it take to finish?
The content represents about 13 hours. At 30 minutes a day, allow 4 to 6 weeks, including exercises and the final project.
Is the certificate recognised?
It is a numbered certificate verifiable online, issued after the final project is reviewed by an instructor. It is not a TOEIC or IELTS: for a university application abroad, those official tests (about 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA per session) remain necessary.
How do I pay?
The 25,000 FCFA fee is paid by Wave or Orange Money, in one go. Access to the course then opens on your phone.
Are private lessons useless?
No, they are useful after the basics, to correct your pronunciation. Two to four sessions at 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA are often enough once level 1 is done.
Take the next step. Enroll in Beginner English: introduce yourself, understand and be understood: 13 hours, 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), verifiable 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.
