The verdict in three sentences
In Thiès, many young people dream of becoming developers but do not know whether they will enjoy the job before committing several hundred thousand FCFA. The right method is to test first on a small budget: 6 hours to understand how a website works, write your first lines of HTML and see whether it clicks. Kolonell's "Discover Code" course costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), 12 to 36 times less than a Dakar bootcamp, and you can follow it from Thiès without travelling.
How much does learning to code cost in 2026?
2026 order of magnitude for the options open to a beginner in Thiès:
| Option | 2026 price | Duration | Travel from Thiès | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive bootcamp in Dakar | 300,000 to 900,000 FCFA (457 to 1,372 EUR) | 3 to 6 months | Bus or TER: 2,000 to 4,000 FCFA return per day | People already committed |
| Private computer science degree | 450,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per year | 3 years | Depends on the school | School leavers, long-term plan |
| Private tutor in Thiès | 5,000 to 8,000 FCFA per hour | Variable | None | Need for close support |
| Free YouTube tutorials and sites | 0 FCFA (data: 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per month) | Unlimited | None | Highly motivated self-learners |
| Kolonell "Discover Code" (level 1) | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 6 h online | None | Curious people who want to test before investing |
One month of Thiès-Dakar commuting for a bootcamp alone costs 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA. The 25,000 FCFA test keeps you from committing blindly.
Does web development pay in Senegal?
The market exists, but it rewards people with projects to show. 2026 order of magnitude for earnings in Senegal:
| Profile | 2026 monthly income (order of magnitude) | Realistic time from zero | Required skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer intern | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA | 6 to 9 months | HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics |
| Junior web integrator | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA (305 to 457 EUR) | 9 to 12 months | Responsive sites, clean pages |
| Junior web developer | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA (381 to 686 EUR) | 12 to 18 months | JavaScript, a framework, Git |
| Experienced developer | 500,000 to 900,000 FCFA (762 to 1,372 EUR) | 3 to 5 years | Full applications, databases |
| Freelance showcase website | 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA per site | 9 to 15 months | Complete site, deployment, domain name |
These figures are estimates, not a promise: a beginner who codes 1 hour a day progresses much faster than one who codes once a week.
What level 1 covers and the rest of the track
The Kolonell Academy Discover Code course, taught in French, is level 1 Essential of the Web Development track. It requires no prior knowledge, just a computer and a connection.
| Level | Course | Price | Duration | What you will be able to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Essential | Discover Code | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 6 h | Understand browser, server, HTML, write a first page |
| 2 Practical | HTML and CSS | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 12 h | Build and lay out a real website |
| 3 Advanced | JavaScript | 75,000 FCFA (115 EUR) | 16 h | Make a site interactive |
| 4 Professional | React and Next.js | 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR) | 24 h | Build a modern web application |
| 5 Pro Track | Full-Stack JavaScript Developer | 200,000 FCFA (305 EUR) | 45 h | Deliver a complete application |
The 5 levels bought separately cost 450,000 FCFA; the full track is 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (about 534 EUR instead of 686 EUR), still below the entry price of many bootcamps.
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.
Moussa, 19, a first-year university student in Thiès, is torn between a 600,000 FCFA bootcamp in Dakar and waiting until he finishes his degree. He starts with level 1 for 25,000 FCFA, paid with Orange Money, and completes the 6 hours over two weekends. He builds a first personal page and finds that he enjoys hunting down his mistakes.
His maths: if he goes on to the full track, he spends 350,000 FCFA in total, 250,000 FCFA less than the bootcamp, and saves about 60,000 FCFA in transport over three months. Had he found that coding was not for him, he would only have lost 25,000 FCFA. A first showcase site billed at 150,000 FCFA to a Thiès shopkeeper, as an order of magnitude, would cover almost half of the track.
FAQ
Do I need to be good at maths to learn web coding?
No, HTML and CSS mostly require logic and rigour. Maths matters more for some specialised jobs, not for building websites starting from the 25,000 FCFA level 1.
Can I learn on a phone?
You can read the lessons on a phone, but coding requires a computer. A second-hand laptop at 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA (183 to 305 EUR) is plenty for the first 3 levels.
How many hours per week to make progress?
5 to 7 hours a week is a good pace: level 1 then takes one to two weeks. At that pace, the 5 levels (103 hours of lessons) take 6 to 9 months including practice.
Is the course in French?
Yes, the whole course is taught in French, with examples adapted to Senegal. Technical English words (tag, div, browser) are explained along the way.
How do I pay from Thiès?
With Wave or Orange Money, no bank card needed. Access opens as soon as the 25,000 FCFA payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover Code: understand how a website works: 6 hours online, taught in French, 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR), with a 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.
