The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, English-language call center campaigns pay roughly 60 to 70% more than French ones. What holds most agents back is not grammar, it is ease on the phone and writing customer emails with the right phrases. The level 2 Office English course at 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) targets these exact situations, for far less than a term at an institute.
Why English changes your payslip
Customer service platforms in Dakar (Mermoz, Point E, Sacré-Cœur, Diamniadio) run campaigns for telecom operators, banks, e-commerce sites and English-speaking clients from Ghana, Nigeria, the UK or the US. English-language seats are scarcer, so they pay more, with language and performance bonuses.
Recruitment tests are often done by phone: greet, understand the request, rephrase, put on hold, offer a solution, close politely. Then a written exercise: reply to a complaint by email. A candidate who understands English but hesitates over polite phrases or hold scripts is turned down.
| Call center job (Dakar, 2026 order of magnitude) | Monthly salary | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| French-speaking agent | 120,000 to 180,000 FCFA (183 to 274 EUR) | None |
| Bilingual agent (occasional) | 160,000 to 220,000 FCFA (244 to 335 EUR) | Simple emails, some calls |
| English campaign agent | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA (305 to 457 EUR) | Full calls and emails in English |
| English campaign supervisor | 350,000 to 500,000 FCFA (534 to 762 EUR) | Fluent English, written reporting |
| Monthly language bonus | 20,000 to 50,000 FCFA | Depends on the platform |
Comparing ways to learn
| Option (Dakar, 2026) | Indicative cost | Length | Suited to call centers? |
|---|---|---|---|
| English institute, one term | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 3 months, 2 to 3 sessions a week | General English, few call scripts |
| Private lessons | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA per hour | Variable | Yes if the teacher knows the job |
| Free apps | 0 to 6,000 FCFA a month | Unlimited | Vocabulary, no role plays |
| Kolonell Academy, Office English (level 2) | 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR) | 18 h | Emails, phone, daily exchanges with templates |
The course Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges, taught from French, teaches you to write a clear email, answer the phone and talk with an English-speaking client or colleague, using ready-made templates: greeting, identifying the customer, putting on hold, handling a complaint, written confirmation. You can follow lessons between shifts, on your phone.
It is level 2 of the Professional English track. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA, up to business and leadership English.
Mini case study
Moussa, 26, an agent on a French-language telecom campaign in Dakar, earns 150,000 FCFA a month. He reads English but freezes on the phone. He takes the course at 50,000 FCFA over six weeks, 3 hours a week, and rehearses call scripts with a colleague. He passes the internal test and joins an English campaign at 240,000 FCFA including bonus. The gain is 90,000 FCFA a month: the course is paid back in under three weeks, and the difference exceeds one million FCFA (about 1,525 EUR) over a year.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
What English level do I need to start?
School level is enough: you understand simple sentences without being comfortable speaking. If you start from zero, take level 1 of the track before these 18 hours.
Is it enough to pass a call center test?
The course covers the tested situations (call, complaint, email). Add 15 to 20 minutes of speaking practice a day for a month to gain fluency.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Level 2 costs 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), payable with Wave or Orange Money. The full Professional English track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Can I follow it with shift work?
Yes, lessons are online and available 24/7, which suits night shifts on US campaigns. A typical lesson lasts 15 to 30 minutes.
What salary can I aim for afterwards?
As a 2026 order of magnitude in Dakar, an English campaign pays 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA a month. The job depends on the platform's test and available seats; nothing is guaranteed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges: 18 h, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), 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.
