The verdict in three sentences
In Saint-Louis, you can learn web development from home with a 4G connection and a modest computer, without moving to Dakar for a bootcamp. The right entry point is a short, low-cost first module that explains how a website works, before investing in HTML, CSS and then JavaScript. The job pays, with 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA a month for a junior developer in Dakar, but it takes 9 to 18 months of steady practice, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
Options for learning to code from Saint-Louis
Between UGB, private schools and online offers, there are many choices. Here is their real cost in 2026.
| Option | Cost FCFA | Duration | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube tutorials and free sites | 0 | Unlimited | Very autonomous learners ready to search alone |
| Kolonell "Discover code" (level 1) | 25,000 | 6 h | Complete beginners who want to test |
| Kolonell Web development track (5 levels) | 350,000 instead of 450,000 | About 103 h | Aiming for a job or freelance work |
| Intensive bootcamp in Dakar | 500,000 to 1,500,000 | 3 to 6 months | Full-time availability, high budget |
| Computer science bachelor's degree | University fees + 3 years | 3 years | Full academic path |
| Private in-person course in Saint-Louis | 150,000 to 400,000 | 2 to 4 months | Need for fixed hours |
For a Dakar bootcamp, add housing and transport: 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA more per month, which often doubles the real bill.
Where to start: level-by-level progression
The course Discover code: understand how a website works is level 1 Essentials, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR) for 6 h, taught in French. It explains what a browser, a server and a domain name are, and has you write your first lines of HTML. In 6 hours, you know whether you enjoy coding, for the price of a few meals. Then the Web development track takes you further.
| Level | Course | Price FCFA | Duration | What you can do at the end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Essentials | Discover code | 25,000 | 6 h | Understand a website, write a simple page |
| 2 Practice | HTML and CSS: build and lay out a real site | 50,000 | 12 h | A showcase page online |
| 3 Advanced | JavaScript: make a site lively and interactive | 75,000 | 16 h | Forms, menus, interactions |
| 4 Career | React and Next.js: build modern web applications | 100,000 | 24 h | A complete web application |
| 5 Pro track | Full-Stack JavaScript developer | 200,000 | 45 h | Front end, back end, database, deployment |
Bought level by level, the whole set costs 450,000 FCFA. The full track is 350,000 FCFA, saving 100,000 FCFA if you are sure you want to go all the way.
What the job can earn
| Situation | Indicative 2026 income (FCFA) | Realistic time from zero |
|---|---|---|
| Small showcase site for a Saint-Louis business | 150,000 to 300,000 per site | 6 to 9 months |
| Internship at an agency or startup in Dakar | 50,000 to 150,000 per month | 6 to 12 months |
| Junior developer in Dakar | 250,000 to 450,000 per month | 9 to 18 months |
| Remote freelance for foreign clients | 300,000 to 800,000 per month | 18 months or more |
| Website maintenance for SMEs | 25,000 to 75,000 per site per month | 9 to 12 months |
These figures are orders of magnitude: they depend on your portfolio, your consistency and your ability to find clients.
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, 20, a mathematics student at UGB, hesitates between a 900,000 FCFA bootcamp in Dakar and learning online. She starts with level 1 at 25,000 FCFA, paid with Wave, and finishes it in a week. Convinced, she takes the full track at 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000. Savings versus the bootcamp: 550,000 FCFA, not counting about 300,000 FCFA of housing avoided. After 8 months, she builds a showcase site for a guesthouse on Saint-Louis island for 200,000 FCFA: more than half of the track is already paid back.
FAQ
Do I need to be good at maths to learn to code?
No, web development mostly requires logic and patience. Everyday calculations stay simple. Level 1 at 25,000 FCFA lets you check this in 6 hours.
What computer do I need?
A laptop with 8 GB of memory is enough, often available second-hand for 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA. The tools used in the course are free.
Can I learn alongside my studies or a job?
Yes, at 5 to 7 hours a week, the full track takes 4 to 6 months. The online format fits UGB schedules and working days.
Does the track replace a degree?
No, but in web development, recruiters look at your projects first. Each level ends with a certificate verifiable online and work you can show.
Can I pay level by level?
Yes, each course can be bought on its own, from 25,000 to 200,000 FCFA, via Wave or Orange Money. The full track is still 100,000 FCFA cheaper.
Take the next step. Enroll in Discover code: understand how a website works: 6 h, 25,000 FCFA, verifiable online certificate, taught in French. 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.
