The verdict in three sentences
If you have already played with code in Dakar and want to build and lay out a real website, HTML and CSS remain the essential foundation before any framework. A local bootcamp costs 300,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA, while free tutorials offer neither follow-up nor a certificate. The HTML and CSS course, level 2, 50,000 FCFA for 12 hours, has you build a complete responsive site, a realistic first step toward your first freelance contracts.
Comparing ways to learn HTML and CSS in Dakar
The coding training market has grown a lot in Dakar: private schools, intensive bootcamps, incubator programs and online courses. The right choice depends on your budget, available time and goal.
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube tutorials and free sites | 0 FCFA | 30 to 60 scattered hours | Free, lots of content | No clear progression, no certificate |
| International online certificates | 0 to 30,000 FCFA | 20 to 300 hours | Recognized, comprehensive | In English, few local examples |
| Bootcamp in Dakar | 300,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 months | Coaching, network | High price, fixed schedule |
| Private tutoring | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per hour | 12 hours = 120,000 to 240,000 FCFA | Personalized | Uneven quality |
| Kolonell Academy, HTML and CSS level 2 | 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) | 12 hours online | Concrete project, in French, certificate | Requires personal discipline |
The recommended course is HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website, taught in French, at level 2, for 50,000 FCFA and 12 hours. It is part of the Web development track: the full 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What you build in 12 hours
| Step | HTML and CSS concepts | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Semantic tags, headings, links, images | Skeleton of a 4 to 5 page site |
| Styling | Colors, fonts, margins, boxes | Consistent visual identity |
| Layout | Flexbox and Grid | Aligned sections, gallery, service cards |
| Responsive | Media queries, adapted images | Site readable on mobile, essential on 3G and 4G |
| Form and contact | Fields, WhatsApp button | Working contact page |
| Going live | Free or cheap hosting | Site reachable at a web address |
At the end you have a project to show, which matters more than a diploma for a first client.
What HTML and CSS can earn in Dakar in 2026
| Type of job or role | 2026 order of magnitude | Required level |
|---|---|---|
| Simple showcase page for a shop | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | Solid HTML and CSS |
| 4 to 6 page site for an SME | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | HTML, CSS, responsive |
| Edits and maintenance | 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA per job | HTML and CSS |
| Internship in a web agency | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA per month | HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics |
| Junior front-end developer | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA per month | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a framework |
These amounts are estimates: first clients take time and a portfolio. HTML and CSS alone are enough for small jobs, and the rest of the track prepares for salaried roles.
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 22, a business management undergraduate in Dakar, has watched a few videos but never finished a site. He takes the course for 50,000 FCFA, paid via Wave, at 3 hours per week for 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 builds a site for his aunt's fabric shop in Colobane, which he shows as a portfolio project.
- A month later, a hair salon in Parcelles Assainies orders a showcase page for 100,000 FCFA.
- Net gain after the course: 50,000 FCFA, not counting hosting paid by the client.
- Payback: about 6 to 8 weeks after starting the course, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
Nothing is guaranteed: finding a client depends on your network and the quality of your portfolio.
FAQ
Do I need a powerful computer to learn HTML and CSS?
No, an entry-level used laptop at around 150,000 FCFA is enough. A free code editor and a browser are the only tools required.
How long before I can sell a website?
Count the 12 hours of lessons plus 20 to 40 hours of personal practice. Many learners complete a first sellable project within 1 to 3 months.
Does the course replace a bootcamp?
Not entirely: a bootcamp at 300,000 FCFA or more also covers JavaScript and a framework. Level 2 is a solid foundation, and the full 5-level track at 350,000 FCFA goes further.
How is payment made?
The 50,000 FCFA is paid by Wave or Orange Money. A Kolonell Academy certificate is awarded at the end.
Can I follow the course on a 3G connection?
Yes, lessons are lightweight and you progress at your own pace. Plan for about 2 to 4 GB of data for the whole course.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website: 12 hours online, taught in French, 50,000 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.
