The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, HTML and CSS remain the cheapest entry point into web development, and they are enough to deliver a responsive showcase website. From Thiès, a 12-hour online course at 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR or 83 USD) has you build a real 4-page website for an SME, live and ready for your portfolio. A first showcase site is commonly billed 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA to a local business, which pays back the course with the first gig, with no income guarantee.
Why start with HTML and CSS in Thiès
Thiès has hundreds of shops, private schools, clinics, workshops and restaurants with no website, or just a Facebook page. These clients want a fast site that reads well on a phone and shows a WhatsApp button. No framework is needed for that: semantic HTML, mobile-first CSS and a clean deployment do the job.
| Service for a Thiès SME | Skills needed | Beginner rate 2026 (estimate) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing page (one page, form) | HTML, CSS, form | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 3 to 5 days |
| 4 to 5-page showcase site | Semantic HTML, Flexbox, Grid | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Responsive redesign of an existing site | CSS, media queries | 80,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 1 week |
| Event page (gala, opening) | HTML, CSS | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 days |
| Monthly maintenance (updates) | HTML, CSS | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per month | Recurring |
| Speed and image optimisation | CSS, compression, Lighthouse | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 days |
Bootcamp, YouTube or targeted course: the comparison
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Assessed project | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell "HTML and CSS" course | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 12 h online | 2 projects on a scoring grid | Yes, verifiable |
| Bootcamp in Dakar | 500,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 months | Yes | Yes |
| Training centre in Thiès | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 months, evenings | Varies | Attestation |
| YouTube and free documentation | 0 FCFA | Self-paced | No | No |
| Web Development track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | One project per level | One certificate per level |
The HTML and CSS course to build and lay out a real website is level 2, Beginner of the Web Development track; the course is taught in French. The programme has 5 modules, 25 lessons and 61 corrected exercises: semantic HTML and accessible forms, CSS fundamentals (cascade, box model, units), mobile-first layout with Flexbox and Grid, then maintainable CSS, lighter images and deployment on Netlify or GitHub Pages checked with Lighthouse. You submit two projects: a restaurant landing page, then an SME's responsive showcase site. If you have never written a tag, level 1 "Discover code" is recommended first.
What you need to get started
| Item | Cost in Thiès in 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Decent second-hand computer | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 8 GB of RAM is enough |
| VS Code and Google Chrome | 0 FCFA | Free software |
| Internet connection | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per month | Home box or mobile plan |
| Portfolio hosting (Netlify, GitHub Pages) | 0 FCFA | Free for a static site |
| .com or .sn domain name | 8,000 to 25,000 FCFA per year | Optional at first |
| Available time | 3 to 4 h per week | For 3 to 4 weeks |
Mini case study
Ibrahima, 21, a student in Thiès, pays 50,000 FCFA via Wave and finishes the course in four weeks. He publishes his SME site as a portfolio, then offers his neighbourhood bakery a 4-page site for 150,000 FCFA, with a 50% deposit. He adds a maintenance contract at 20,000 FCFA a month. Calculation: 150,000 + (20,000 x 6) = 270,000 FCFA over six months, more than five times the course cost. 2026 estimate: the result depends on his prospecting.
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 code before starting?
You need to be able to write a simple HTML page with headings, links and images. Otherwise, start with level 1 "Discover code", at 25,000 FCFA.
Can you really find clients with only HTML and CSS?
Yes for static showcase sites, which make up a large share of SME demand. For interactive sites, level 3 JavaScript takes over.
How long does it take to finish?
Plan 12 hours, at 3 to 4 hours a week for 3 to 4 weeks.
Does the course work on a slow connection?
Yes, exercises are done offline in VS Code. You need about 1.5 GB of data for the videos.
How do I pay from Thiès?
You pay 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) via Wave or Orange Money, and access opens as soon as payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website: 12 hours online, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), verifiable 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.
