The verdict in three sentences
In Touba and Mbacké, hundreds of traders, hardware stores, tailors and restaurants still have no web page, and HTML and CSS are the first digital trade a young person can sell them. A simple brochure page bills 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA to a local business as a 2026 order of magnitude, for a starting investment of 50,000 FCFA in training plus a second-hand computer. Kolonell's HTML and CSS course (level 2, 12 h, 50,000 FCFA) teaches you to code and publish a real responsive site that reads well on a phone.
What you need to start in Touba
The trade requires little equipment. The biggest item is the computer, but you can start at a cybercafé until the first contracts come in.
| Expense | Cost, 2026 order of magnitude | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kolonell HTML and CSS course | 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) | 12 h online, certificate |
| Second-hand laptop | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | 4 GB of memory is enough for HTML and CSS |
| Cybercafé, until you own a computer | 300 to 500 FCFA per hour | 12 h of course, i.e. 3,600 to 6,000 FCFA |
| Monthly 4G connection | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA | Lessons are light on data |
| Code editor and test hosting | 0 FCFA | Free tools used in the course |
| Domain name for a client | 8,000 to 15,000 FCFA per year | Billed back to the client |
All in, a young person starting at a cybercafé can begin with under 70,000 FCFA, then buy a computer with the first two or three contracts.
Comparing ways to learn
| Option | Estimated cost 2026 | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA, plus data | Useful basics, but no full project or feedback |
| Computer training centre in Touba or Diourbel | 30,000 to 80,000 FCFA per month | Mostly office software, rarely web development |
| Private school in Dakar | 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per year, plus lodging | Long programme, high cost |
| Kolonell HTML and CSS | 50,000 FCFA | Multi-page site, Flexbox, Grid, responsive, publishing |
| Full Web development track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Up to React and Next.js |
The HTML and CSS course to build and lay out a real website, taught in French, is level 2 Beginner, 50,000 FCFA of the Kolonell Academy Web development track. You structure a site in semantic HTML, lay it out with Flexbox and Grid, make it readable on mobile, then publish it cleanly, using the case of a real SME. Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money.
What you can sell to local traders
| Service | Price billed, 2026 order of magnitude | Working time |
|---|---|---|
| Single page: presentation, hours, map, WhatsApp button | 50,000 to 80,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 days |
| 3 to 5 page site for a shop or restaurant | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 3 to 5 days |
| Monthly update (prices, photos, promotions) | 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA per month | 1 to 2 h |
| Event page (magal, opening, promotion) | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 1 day |
| Simple image catalogue integration | 40,000 to 90,000 FCFA | 2 to 3 days |
During the Grand Magal, the influx of visitors creates one-off demand from lodgings, restaurants and transport operators: a clear page with a WhatsApp number and directions sells well a few weeks ahead.
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.
Serigne, 20, a recent high-school graduate in Mbacké, does not own a computer yet. He takes the course (50,000 FCFA) at a cybercafé over three weeks, 12 h at 400 FCFA per hour, i.e. 4,800 FCFA. He then builds a page for his uncle's hardware store at 60,000 FCFA, followed by a 4-page site for a Touba restaurant at 120,000 FCFA. Total earned: 180,000 FCFA, against 54,800 FCFA invested. He has 125,200 FCFA left, enough to buy a 150,000 FCFA second-hand laptop with a third small contract. This scenario is illustrative and guarantees no income.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code before starting?
You only need to have written your first HTML tags, since this level 2 builds on them. If you are starting from zero, level 1 of the track covers them, and the full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Can I take the course at a cybercafé?
Yes, the 12 h of lessons and exercises run in a simple browser. Count 3,600 to 6,000 FCFA of cybercafé time in total, plus a PDF handout to keep on a USB stick.
How long does a first client site take?
A single page is finished in 1 to 2 days after the course, a 4-page site in 3 to 5 days. Most beginners deliver their first client 3 to 6 weeks after starting.
Is an HTML and CSS site enough for a trader?
For a presentation, opening hours, an image catalogue and a WhatsApp button, yes. For a shop with online payment, JavaScript and the next levels of the track will be needed later.
How do I pay the 50,000 FCFA?
With Wave or Orange Money, directly on the course page, with immediate access. The Kolonell Academy certificate is issued at the end.
Take the next step. Enroll in HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real website: 12 h online, 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.
