The verdict in three sentences
In Mbour, most online sales already go through WhatsApp, but orders are tracked from memory and some get lost between family messages. A WhatsApp Business catalog (free, up to 500 products), five quick replies and daily status posts can multiply orders by 2 to 3 for a regular seller. Kolonell Academy's "Selling on WhatsApp: catalog, orders and payments" course sets all of this up in 5 h, for 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR or 41 USD).
Personal WhatsApp vs WhatsApp Business: what changes in Mbour
Mbour lives on trade: the central market, the fishing wharf, the shops of Saly, tourists and Dakar residents spending the weekend. A seller of wax fabric, shea butter or dried fish gets dozens of "how much?" messages a day. The gap between a personal number and a well-configured Business account shows up fast.
| Item | Personal WhatsApp | Well-configured WhatsApp Business |
|---|---|---|
| Product catalog | None, photos sent one by one | Up to 500 products with FCFA prices, free |
| Time to answer "how much?" | 3 to 10 minutes | Under one minute with a quick reply |
| Order tracking | From memory or in a notebook | 5 labels and a Google Sheets order log |
| After-hours message | None, the customer goes elsewhere | Automatic away message |
| Shop link and QR code | No | wa.me link and printable QR code |
| Typical weekly orders | 2 to 5 | 5 to 15 at first, order of magnitude |
These figures are 2026 orders of magnitude, estimated for the course and not measured: results depend on your products, prices and consistency.
What the course has you build
The course Selling on WhatsApp: catalog, orders and payments is level 1 of the E-commerce and online selling track, beginner level, 25,000 FCFA. It is taught in French. It has three modules: turning WhatsApp Business into a real shop, taking and tracking orders without losing any, collecting payments safely and bringing customers back. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection; a second Orange, Free or Expresso SIM is recommended for the shop number.
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Concrete result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube tutorials | 0 FCFA | Several evenings | Basic settings, nothing on mobile money |
| In-person workshop in Dakar or Thiès | 30,000 to 75,000 FCFA plus travel | 1 day | Demo, little follow-up |
| Agency that sets up the account for you | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | A few days | Account ready, but you cannot evolve it |
| Kolonell, level 1 only | 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) | 5 h online | 6 deliverables, certificate |
| Kolonell, full 5-level track | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (about 535 EUR) | Progressive | From WhatsApp to running a profitable shop |
You leave with a configured account, a catalog of at least 10 products in 2 or 3 collections, your greeting and away messages, five quick replies, five tracking labels, a 6-column order log, a 5-line payment rule (Wave, Orange Money, cash on delivery, deposit, verification) and a 7-day status plan. The next levels (e-commerce in Senegal, online store, operations management, business steering) are detailed on the E-commerce and online selling track.
Collecting payments without getting scammed
In Mbour as elsewhere, the most common fraud is the fake payment screenshot. Module 3 sets a simple rule: check every payment in the Wave or Orange Money app before shipping.
| Payment method | Recommended use | Risk | Course rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | Orders from Mbour, Saly, Dakar | Fake screenshot | Check the balance in the app |
| Orange Money | Customers without Wave | Fake screenshot | Check the official SMS |
| Cash on delivery | First orders, fresh products | Refused parcel | Deposit above a threshold |
| 30 to 50% deposit | Custom orders | Low | Written in the payment rule |
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.
Fatou, 34, sells dried fish and shea butter in Mbour, with about 4 orders a week at an average basket of 12,000 FCFA, so close to 190,000 FCFA in sales a month. After the course, she publishes a 25-product catalog and a status every morning. If she reaches 8 orders a week, a realistic but not guaranteed order of magnitude, her sales rise to about 385,000 FCFA a month. At a 30% margin, the extra 195,000 FCFA in sales bring in nearly 58,000 FCFA of monthly margin: the 25,000 FCFA course pays for itself in about 2 weeks.
FAQ
Do I need a recent phone?
No. Any Android phone or iPhone that can install WhatsApp Business is enough. The course lasts 5 h and works on a phone, even on a 3G connection.
Is the WhatsApp catalog really free?
Yes. The WhatsApp Business catalog accepts up to 500 products at no cost. You only pay for your data plan, a few hundred FCFA a day depending on use.
I sell fresh fish, does this fit?
Yes, with collections by delivery batch and a payment rule suited to perishables. The course shows how to handle same-day orders and 30 to 50% deposits for large quantities.
How long before the first results?
The account and catalog are ready in 7 days if you follow the plan. Extra orders often arrive within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how regularly you post statuses.
How do I pay for the course?
By Wave or Orange Money, online: 25,000 FCFA for this level 1, or 350,000 FCFA for all 5 levels of the track instead of 450,000.
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling on WhatsApp: catalog, orders and payments: 5 h online (taught in French), 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), Kolonell Academy certificate included. 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.
