The verdict in three sentences
In Diourbel and Bambey, roughly 8 out of 10 administrative job ads mention Excel, and most also ask for Word and PowerPoint, as a 2026 order of magnitude. An administrative assistant there usually earns 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA a month, and interviews are often decided on a practical test: a formatted letter, a spreadsheet that calculates correctly, a clear presentation. Kolonell Academy's "Complete Office suite" course (22 h, 100,000 FCFA, 8 projects, verifiable certificate) prepares you for that test if you already know the basics of Word and Excel.
What Diourbel employers expect
Diourbel hosts state services, local authorities, NGOs, schools, wholesalers and groundnut businesses. Bambey adds Alioune Diop University and its administrative services. Everywhere, office work looks the same: letters, monthly reports, tracking sheets, stock statements, presentations for management or donors.
| Role in Diourbel or Bambey (2026) | Tools required | Monthly salary, order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary | Word, Outlook, filing | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA |
| Administrative assistant | Word, Excel, template letters | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
| Data entry and monitoring officer (NGO, project) | Advanced Excel, dashboards | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
| Project or reporting assistant | Word, Excel, PowerPoint linked | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA locally, 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA in Dakar |
| Freelance: professional presentation | Branded PowerPoint | 25,000 to 100,000 FCFA per presentation |
| Freelance: branded template | Word and PowerPoint | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA |
These figures are 2026 estimates. They depend on the employer and your experience, and no job or salary is guaranteed.
Comparing office skills courses
| Option | Cost 2026 | Duration | Content | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell Academy, Complete Office suite | 100,000 FCFA | 22 h, 8 modules, 96 exercises | Automated Word, Excel and Power Query, 4 PowerPoint modules, teamwork on Microsoft 365 | Assumes Word and Excel basics |
| Full Office skills track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From zero to executive assistant | Computer, Word, Excel, Office suite, assistant job | Several months |
| Local training centre | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 4 to 8 weeks in class | Word and Excel basics | Fixed hours, little PowerPoint or collaborative work |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per session | Variable | Depends on the tutor | No verifiable certificate |
| Free tutorials | 0 FCFA | Variable | Isolated features | No corrected project |
The Complete Office suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work course is level 4 (Intermediate) at 100,000 FCFA, taught in French. You learn mail merge, Word templates and forms, data consolidation with Power Query, branded PowerPoint layout, public speaking and linking Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, Copilot included. If you are starting lower, the Office skills and productivity track begins with getting to grips with the computer and email, and its 5 levels cost 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
The deliverables that make the difference in interviews
Each module ends with a project graded against a rubric, 8 projects in all, forming a portfolio to show recruiters.
| Deliverable | What it proves | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Mail merge of 30 personalised letters | Time saved on bulk mailings | Secretarial work, local authorities |
| Branded PowerPoint template | Rigour and professional image | Executive assistant |
| Presentation with linked Excel charts | Up-to-date data without redoing everything | Reporting, NGOs |
| Video of a 7-minute presentation | Confidence speaking | Interviews, meetings |
| Linked Word, Excel and PowerPoint monthly pack | Command of the whole suite | All office roles |
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.
Aminata, 25, a business graduate in Bambey, knows the basics of Word and Excel but has never used PowerPoint. She completes the course in 6 weeks at 4 hours a week for 100,000 FCFA, and attaches her linked monthly pack to her applications. She lands a project assistant role at an NGO in Diourbel at 200,000 FCFA, versus 150,000 FCFA for the secretary job she had been offered before. Difference: 50,000 FCFA a month, so the course pays for itself in 2 months. This scenario is illustrative.
FAQ
I know almost nothing about computers, can I start with this course?
This level 4 assumes Word and Excel basics. Otherwise, start with level 1 of the track, 5 hours to get to grips with the computer, files and email.
Do I need to buy Microsoft Office?
The course uses Microsoft 365. A trial version or access provided by an employer or university is often enough for the 22 hours.
How long does it take to finish?
Plan 22 hours, 5 to 6 weeks at 4 hours a week. Lessons can be read on a phone; exercises are done on a computer.
How do I pay?
With Wave or Orange Money, 100,000 FCFA. The online-verifiable Kolonell certificate is included after the 8 projects.
Does the certificate really help in interviews?
It confirms you passed, but your projects are what convince. A recruiter who sees a 30-letter mail merge and a complete monthly pack no longer needs a test.
Take the next step. Enroll in Complete Office suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work: 22 hours, level 4, 100,000 FCFA, verifiable 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.
