The verdict in three sentences
In Ouagadougou, SMEs, restaurants, private schools and NGOs need simple, fast websites, and a front-end developer who masters HTML and CSS quickly finds first jobs. The course HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website costs 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) (level 2, Beginner, 12 hours, taught in French) and ends with a responsive site published online. To go on to JavaScript and applications, the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Comparing ways to learn in Ouagadougou
Computer science students at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University or private schools know the theory, but many have never delivered a complete website. Self-taught learners chain free tutorials with nobody to correct their code. The Kolonell course sits between the two: short, taught in French, focused on a real project, with quizzes and a certificate.
The programme has 5 modules: semantic HTML to structure a site, forms and accessibility, CSS fundamentals, layout with Flexbox, Grid and responsive design, then maintainable CSS, performance and going live. Performance matters a lot in Burkina Faso, where many visitors browse on mobile with unstable 3G or 4G.
| Option in Ouagadougou | 2026 price (order of magnitude) | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell HTML and CSS (level 2) | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 12 h | Responsive site online, quizzes, certificate |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | 5 levels | From HTML to web applications |
| Local in-person bootcamp | 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 months | Supervision, fixed hours |
| Private lessons | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | 20 h = 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA | Depends on the tutor |
| Free tutorials | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | No correction or certificate |
Job prospects and beginner rates
With HTML and CSS alone you can already deliver landing pages, 4 to 5 page showcase sites and fixes on existing sites. The rates below are 2026 orders of magnitude seen in Ouagadougou for a beginner freelancer; they rise with your portfolio.
| Service | 2026 beginner rate | Delivery time | Typical client |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event landing page | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA | 2 to 4 days | Association, organiser |
| 4 to 5 page showcase site | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks | Restaurant, practice, school |
| Responsive redesign of an old site | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 1 week | SME, NGO |
| Mockup integration | 40,000 to 100,000 FCFA per page | 1 to 2 days | Agency, designer |
| Maintenance and small changes | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA per month | Ongoing | Existing clients |
| Internship or junior agency role | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA per month | Variable | Local web agency |
Time to first income depends on your prospecting: many learners land a first small job within 1 to 3 months, often through their own network. Nothing is guaranteed. For the logical next step, JavaScript then frameworks, see the Web development track.
Mini case study
Mariam, 22, a computer science undergraduate in Ouagadougou, takes the 50,000 FCFA course over 4 weeks at 3 hours per week. She publishes her final project, then offers a 4-page showcase site to her uncle's maquis and a local driving school at 175,000 FCFA each. With two jobs signed, she takes in 350,000 FCFA, 7 times the course price. Even with a single job, the course pays for itself more than 3 times in this scenario.
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 know how to code before starting?
No, the Beginner level starts from zero. You only need a computer, even a modest one, and a free editor such as VS Code.
Are 12 hours really enough?
For HTML and CSS basics and a first site online, yes, as long as you practise. Plan 3 to 4 weeks at 3 or 4 hours per week.
Can I follow the course on a slow connection?
Yes, lessons are written and lightweight. Code is written offline, and the connection is only needed to read lessons and publish.
Does the certificate help win clients?
It reassures, but your live website is what convinces. A portfolio of 2 or 3 projects weighs more than a diploma for an SME.
How do I pay from Burkina Faso?
Online with Wave or Orange Money: 50,000 FCFA for this level, or 350,000 FCFA for the full track.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website: 12 hours, 50,000 FCFA (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.
