The verdict in three sentences
In Ziguinchor, learning HTML and CSS is the cheapest entry point into web development: a decent computer, a 4G connection and a few weeks are enough. Kolonell Academy's HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website course (50,000 FCFA, 12 h, certificate) has you code and publish a complete showcase site for an SME, while a bootcamp in Dakar costs 500,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA before housing. It suits you if you have already written your first tags; otherwise, start with level 1 of the track.
What you learn, module by module
The course HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website (taught in French) is built around a realistic thread: the website of a Senegalese SME, readable on a phone and fast on a mobile connection.
| Module | What you learn | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Semantic HTML | header, nav, main, section, footer, multi-page structure | Home page validated by the W3C |
| 2. Forms and accessibility | Fields, labels, contact and booking | Accessible form |
| 3. CSS fundamentals | Cascade, specificity, box model, units, typography | Stylesheet with variables, restaurant landing page |
| 4. Layout | Flexbox, CSS Grid, mobile-first responsive | Pages tested on 3 screen sizes |
| 5. Maintainable CSS and deployment | Performance, optimized images, Netlify or GitHub Pages | 4-page showcase site online, Lighthouse report |
The tools are free: VS Code, Google Chrome and its developer tools, the W3C validator, Lighthouse, Squoosh for images, Netlify and GitHub Pages for hosting. Plan 3 to 4 hours a week for 3 to 4 weeks.
Comparing options for a Ziguinchor student in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | Constraints | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell "HTML and CSS" (level 2) | 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) | 12 h, self-paced | Computer and 4G | Yes |
| Web development bootcamp in Dakar | 500,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA | 3 to 6 months full time | Relocation, 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA a month for housing | Yes |
| Evening classes at a Ziguinchor center | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 6 to 10 weeks | Rare offer, often outdated syllabus | Attestation |
| Free resources (MDN, YouTube, freeCodeCamp) | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Unstructured | Often in English, no guided project | Sometimes |
| Bachelor's or master's in computer science | University fees | 3 to 5 years | Strong theory, little hands-on front-end work | Degree |
This course is level 2 of the Web Development track. The full five-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA bought individually, less than one month of a Dakar bootcamp including housing. Payment by Wave or Orange Money.
On data, lessons and exercises use little bandwidth: pages are coded offline in VS Code. A 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA monthly 4G bundle is usually enough to follow the course and publish your projects.
What HTML and CSS can earn in Ziguinchor
2026 orders of magnitude, with no income guarantee.
| Service for a local client | Indicative 2026 price | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page (restaurant, event, hotel) | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 3 to 5 days |
| Simple 4 to 5-page showcase site | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Fuller showcase site with forms and gallery | 300,000 to 400,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Updates and maintenance | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA a month | Ongoing |
| Internship or first front-end job in Dakar | 100,000 to 200,000 FCFA a month | After a portfolio |
In Ziguinchor, natural targets are the lodges and hotels of Cap Skirring, downtown restaurants, private schools, clinics and associations. Many have only a Facebook page and receive requests over WhatsApp.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Lamine, 22, undergraduate at Assane Seck University, has a second-hand laptop and a 7,500 FCFA monthly 4G bundle. He takes the HTML and CSS course (50,000 FCFA) over four weeks, 3 h a week.
- Total cost: 50,000 FCFA for the course plus 7,500 FCFA of data, i.e. 57,500 FCFA.
- He codes a landing page for a neighborhood restaurant, billed 100,000 FCFA, then a showcase site for a Cap Skirring lodge, billed 200,000 FCFA (fictional scenario, order of magnitude).
- Gain: 300,000 FCFA for 57,500 FCFA invested, more than 5 times the outlay, in about two months.
FAQ
Do I need to have taken level 1?
It is recommended but not required. If you can already create an HTML file, write headings, links and images, and open your page in the browser, you can start here directly.
Why not just use WordPress?
WordPress and site builders have their place, but they all produce HTML and CSS. Understanding these two languages lets you fix a theme, work faster and charge more than simply assembling a template.
Is a second-hand computer enough?
Yes. VS Code and Chrome run on a second-hand laptop costing 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA with 4 GB of memory. The course is not comfortable to follow on a phone.
How long does it take to finish?
The 12 hours take 3 to 4 weeks at 3 or 4 h a week, projects included.
How do I pay from Ziguinchor?
With Wave or Orange Money, in FCFA, from your phone. 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 h online, 2 projects including a 4-page site, 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.
