The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, HTML and CSS remain the cheapest entry point into a web career: a first showcase website for a local SME bills, as a 2026 order of magnitude, at 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA. YouTube tutorials are free but never review your project, and bootcamps cost over 800,000 FCFA. A 12-hour course at 50,000 FCFA with a real site to deliver is the most cost-effective compromise for a UGB student or a self-learner.
Options for learning from Saint-Louis
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Real project reviewed | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube tutorials and free sites | 0 FCFA | Scattered, often abandoned | No | Not applicable |
| Free online certificates (exercises) | 0 FCFA | 30 to 300 h | Automated exercises | Not applicable |
| Private in-person course in Saint-Louis | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 1 to 3 months | Varies | Cash, mobile money |
| Developer bootcamp in Dakar or online | over 800,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 months | Yes | Often in instalments |
| Kolonell Academy, HTML and CSS | 50,000 FCFA | 12 h at your own pace | Yes, a complete SME showcase site | Wave or Orange Money |
| Full Web development track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | Yes, up to full-stack | Wave or Orange Money |
The recommended course is HTML and CSS: building and laying out a real website, level 2 Practical, 50,000 FCFA, taught in French. It starts with semantic HTML, then covers forms and accessibility, CSS fundamentals, Flexbox, Grid and responsive design, then maintainable CSS, performance and going live. The common thread is the showcase site of a real SME, hand-coded and live on mobile. If you have never written a tag, level 1 of the Web development track prepares you, and all 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
What you can bill in Saint-Louis
Hotels and guesthouses on the island, restaurants on quai Roume, private schools, health practices, travel agencies serving the jazz festival: demand exists, often on modest budgets.
| Service | Content | 2026 price in Saint-Louis (order of magnitude) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single presentation page | 1 responsive page, WhatsApp button | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 3 to 5 days |
| 3 to 5 page showcase site | Home, services, gallery, contact | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Bilingual French and English showcase site | 5 pages per language, for tourism | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Responsive redesign of an old site | Mobile upgrade | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 1 week |
| Maintenance and small updates | Text, photos, opening hours | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per month | Ongoing |
| Domain name and hosting (passed on) | Actual annual cost | 20,000 to 60,000 FCFA per year | Not applicable |
These prices are estimates for a beginner with a portfolio of 2 or 3 sites. An experienced developer or an agency charges considerably more.
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 21, a maths undergraduate at UGB, takes the course (50,000 FCFA paid with Wave) over 4 weeks at 3 hours a week. He codes the site of a guesthouse on the island for 200,000 FCFA, then a page for a restaurant at 100,000 FCFA. Calculation: 300,000 FCFA earned minus 50,000 FCFA for the course, with 25,000 FCFA of domain and hosting passed on to the client, leaving 250,000 FCFA net over his first semester. The course is paid back by the first contract, in under 2 months. These figures remain an order of magnitude, with no guarantee.
FAQ
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Do I need a good computer to learn HTML and CSS?
No, an entry-level laptop, even second-hand at 120,000 FCFA, is enough with a free editor. A phone is not enough to code comfortably for 12 hours.
Are HTML and CSS enough to find clients?
For simple showcase sites, yes, provided you have 2 or 3 projects online. For interactive sites or applications, the track continues with JavaScript then full-stack.
How long until I am operational?
12 hours of course, plus 20 to 40 hours of practice on your own projects, i.e. 1 to 2 months part-time alongside your studies.
How do I pay for the course?
With Wave or Orange Money, 50,000 FCFA in one go for this level. A Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end.
Can I target clients outside Saint-Louis?
Yes, the work is done remotely: SMEs in Dakar or in the diaspora often pay 20 to 50% more than in the regions.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: building and laying out a real website: 12 h at your own pace, level 2 Practical, 50,000 FCFA, certificate included, 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.