The verdict in three sentences
In Bouaké, shops, clinics, private schools and downtown maquis increasingly want a simple, fast website to be taken seriously, and very few local developers can deliver one cleanly. HTML and CSS remain the foundation of every website, before WordPress, JavaScript or frameworks. The Level 2 course at 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR / 83 USD, 12 h) has you build a real, properly laid-out site without leaving Bouaké or paying for a bootcamp in Abidjan.
The Bouaké market: what a website earns
Côte d'Ivoire's second city has a university, many private schools, traders at the big market and agro-industry SMEs (cashew, cotton). Many only have a Facebook page. A student or technician who can deliver a clean site in a week finds clients through word of mouth.
| Service in Bouaké (2026 order of magnitude) | Freelance price | Realistic timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Single presentation page (one page) | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA (152 to 229 EUR) | 3 to 5 days |
| 4 to 5 page showcase site | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA (229 to 610 EUR) | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Redesign of an old non-mobile site | 120,000 to 250,000 FCFA (183 to 381 EUR) | 1 week |
| Registration page for a school or event | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA (114 to 229 EUR) | 2 to 4 days |
| Monthly content updates | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per month (23 to 46 EUR) | 1 to 2 h a month |
| Domain and hosting (re-billed to client) | 20,000 to 60,000 FCFA a year (30 to 91 EUR) | Immediate |
Two showcase sites at 250,000 FCFA per quarter mean 500,000 FCFA (762 EUR), ten times the course price. That income depends on your prospecting and the quality you deliver.
Bootcamp, YouTube or Kolonell course: what it really costs
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | Hidden costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootcamp in Abidjan | 500,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA (762 to 2,287 EUR) | 3 to 6 months | Transport, housing in Abidjan, 300,000 FCFA or more |
| Class at a Bouaké computer centre | 75,000 to 200,000 FCFA (114 to 305 EUR) | 1 to 3 months | Often office software, few real projects |
| Free online tutorials | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | Frequent drop-out, no guided project |
| Kolonell Level 2 course | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR), one-off | 12 h at your own pace | Mobile data, about 5,000 FCFA |
| Full web development track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (534 EUR instead of 686) | 5 levels | Up to full-stack developer |
| Adequate second-hand laptop | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA (229 to 381 EUR) | One-off purchase | A laptop with 8 GB of RAM is enough |
The course HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website, taught in French, is Level 2 of the Web development track. You learn HTML structure, semantic tags, CSS, Flexbox and Grid, responsive design for mobile and putting a site online. If you have never written a line of code, Level 1 of the track prepares you.
What you build in 12 hours
| Module | Skill | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| HTML structure | Headings, paragraphs, images, links, forms | A complete, well-structured page |
| CSS basics | Colours, fonts, margins, borders | A consistent visual identity |
| Flexbox and Grid | Column and grid layouts | Menu, gallery, service cards |
| Responsive | Correct display on phone and computer | Site readable on a 50,000 FCFA smartphone |
| Performance | Light images, fast loading on 3G | Page that opens in under 3 seconds |
| Going live | Publish the site on hosting | A link to show your first clients |
Mini case study
Yao, 22, an undergraduate at Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké, repairs phones at weekends. He buys a second-hand laptop for 180,000 FCFA and takes the 50,000 FCFA course, paid with Orange Money. In 4 weeks he builds his uncle's shop website as a portfolio piece. The following month he delivers a registration page for a private school at 100,000 FCFA, then a showcase site for a pharmacy at 220,000 FCFA. Total: 320,000 FCFA (about 488 EUR), covering both the course and the laptop in two months. Illustrative example, first contracts may take longer.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need to be good at maths to learn HTML and CSS?
No. HTML and CSS structure and style a page, they do not calculate. With 12 hours of guided practice, most beginners build their first complete page.
Can I learn on a phone?
You can follow the lessons on a phone, but coding comfortably requires a computer. A second-hand laptop at 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA with 8 GB of RAM is plenty.
Are HTML and CSS enough to find clients?
For simple showcase sites, yes. For interactive sites or applications you will then need JavaScript, offered at Level 3 of the track.
What is the price and how do I pay?
Level 2 costs 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR / 83 USD) for 12 hours, paid with Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track is 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, a Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end of the level. It complements your portfolio, which remains your main argument with a client.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website: 12 h in French, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 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.
