The verdict in three sentences
In Bamako, the web developer career attracts more and more school leavers and students, but many pay for a bootcamp costing 300,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA (about 455 to 1,525 EUR) without knowing whether they enjoy coding. Starting with 6 hours to understand how a website works and publishing your first page costs 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) and works on a basic 3G connection. It is the lowest-risk test before investing months and hundreds of thousands of FCFA.
What you actually learn at the start
You use Orange Money, Wave or Facebook every day without knowing what happens between your phone and the server. The first level of the job is understanding that journey, then writing HTML by hand.
| Core concept | What you can do after 6 h | Why it matters next |
|---|---|---|
| Browser, server, domain name | Explain what happens when you type an address | Understand outages and hosting |
| HTML | Write a page with headings, text, images and links | Foundation of every website |
| First CSS rules | Change colours, fonts and sizes | Prepare for level 2, HTML and CSS |
| Going live | Publish your page on the Internet for free | First portfolio item |
| Web careers | Tell apart integrator, front-end, back-end, full-stack | Choose a realistic direction |
That is the programme of Discover code: understand how a website works, taught in French: level 1 Essential, 3 modules, 6 hours, 25,000 FCFA, with quizzes, graded exercises and a verifiable certificate.
Comparing ways to learn in Bamako in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 price | Duration | Strength | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos and tutorials | 0 FCFA, plus mobile data | Open | Free, lots of content | No logical order, frequent drop-out |
| Free online certificates (freeCodeCamp and similar) | 0 FCFA | 100 h or more | Recognised | In English, long, no local support |
| Evening classes at a training centre | 150,000 to 400,000 FCFA (230-610 EUR) | 2 to 6 months | In person | Travel, fixed hours |
| Intensive bootcamp | 300,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA (455-1,525 EUR) | 3 to 6 months | Fast pace | Big commitment before knowing if you like it |
| Kolonell Academy, Discover code | 25,000 FCFA (38 EUR) | 6 h | In French, on mobile, over 3G | Not enough on its own to get hired |
Prices are 2026 orders of magnitude. The Kolonell course is paid with Wave or Orange Money, no bank card needed.
If you enjoy coding, the next steps follow naturally: HTML and CSS, JavaScript, React and Next.js, then full-stack. The Web development track bundles all 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 535 EUR instead of 685 EUR), roughly the price of an entry-level bootcamp, but at your own pace.
What a developer earns in Bamako
| Profile | Indicative 2026 monthly income | Typical time from zero |
|---|---|---|
| Intern at an agency or IT services firm | 50,000 to 100,000 FCFA (76-152 EUR) | 4 to 8 months |
| Junior web integrator | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA (305-455 EUR) | 8 to 12 months |
| Junior front-end developer | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA (380-610 EUR) | 10 to 15 months |
| Experienced developer (3+ years) | 450,000 to 800,000 FCFA (685-1,220 EUR) | 3 years or more |
| Freelancer, simple showcase site | 150,000 to 500,000 FCFA per project | 6 to 12 months |
These figures are 2026 estimates: they vary with the employer, the portfolio and technical English. Six hours do not make a developer; they tell you whether you want to become one.
Mini case study
Moussa, 20, a recent school leaver in Kalaban Coura, is torn between a 600,000 FCFA bootcamp and a business diploma. He wants to test his interest first.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- He takes Discover code: 25,000 FCFA, 6 hours over two weeks, using about 1 GB of mobile data.
- He publishes his first page, an online CV, and finds out he enjoys coding.
- He continues with the full track: 350,000 FCFA in total instead of 600,000 FCFA for the bootcamp, a 250,000 FCFA difference (about 380 EUR).
- If he lands a junior integrator job at 250,000 FCFA a month after 12 months, the track pays for itself in less than 2 months of salary.
Had he disliked coding, he would have lost only 25,000 FCFA instead of a 600,000 FCFA commitment.
FAQ
Do I need a computer to start?
A smartphone is enough for the lessons and some exercises, but a computer, even a second-hand one at around 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA in Bamako, soon becomes essential. For the 6 hours of level 1, a borrowed or cybercafé computer is fine.
Is my 3G connection enough?
Yes, lessons are lightweight and the whole course uses about 1 GB of data. You can progress in 20 to 30-minute sessions.
Do I need to be good at maths?
No, HTML and CSS require logic and rigour, not advanced maths. Level 1 has no prerequisites.
Are 6 hours enough to find a job?
No. Allow 8 to 15 months of regular practice and several projects for a first junior role at 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA. Level 1 gets you started on solid foundations.
How do I pay from Mali?
The 25,000 FCFA is paid with Wave or Orange Money. Access is immediate and a verifiable certificate is issued at the end.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover code: understand how a website works: 6 h in 3 modules, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), verifiable 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.
