The verdict in three sentences
In Bobo-Dioulasso, Ghana is a daily partner: suppliers in Kumasi, forwarders in Tema, NGO partners in Tamale, and almost all of them write and call in English. For an assistant, a customs agent or an accountant who already has the basics, the need is not another grammar class but office English: standard emails, phone scripts, job vocabulary. A focused 18-hour course at 50,000 FCFA covers this in 4 to 6 weeks, at 3 to 4 hours a week.
The work situations that get stuck in Bobo-Dioulasso
Many jobs in the city are concerned: cotton companies and ginneries, freight forwarders on the Bobo, Ouagadougou, Ghana corridor, importers of parts and equipment, NGOs and development projects funded by English-speaking donors. The sticking points always come at the same moments.
| Frequent situation | What happens without training | What you will be able to do |
|---|---|---|
| Email from a Kumasi supplier | Copy-paste into a translator, 30 min | Read and reply in 10 min with a template |
| Call from a Tema forwarder (+233) | Looking for a colleague to pick up | Greet, take a message, call back |
| Confirm a delivery or a meeting | Vague message, date misunderstandings | Clear confirmation email, correct dates and times |
| Send an invoice or document | Clumsy wording, forgotten attachment | Standard cover email, checked in 2 min |
| Video call with a donor | Silence, someone else takes notes | Introduce yourself, your role and your tasks |
| Chasing a late payment | Avoiding writing at all | Polite but firm reminder in English |
These are exactly the situations covered by level 2 of the Professional English track.
What professional English costs in 2026: options compared
| Option in Bobo-Dioulasso | 2026 price (order of magnitude) | Duration | Office-focused content | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free apps (Duolingo and similar) | 0 FCFA | Unlimited | No, general English | No |
| Language school classes | 60,000 to 150,000 FCFA per term | 2 to 4 h a week | Partly, rarely emails and phone | Sometimes |
| Private tutor | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA per hour | Budget-dependent | Depends on the tutor | No |
| International online certificates | 0 to 40,000 FCFA | Variable | Generic British or American English | Yes |
| Kolonell, level 2 Office English | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 18 h, self-paced | Yes: emails, phone, daily exchanges | Yes, verifiable |
The course Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges is level 2, at 50,000 FCFA, taught in French for French speakers. You build your professional introduction, a 200-word glossary sorted by task, a kit of eight standard emails adapted to your job and your phone scripts: greeting, taking a message, transferring, calling back. Prerequisite: A1 level, meaning you can introduce yourself, spell your name and use the present simple. Otherwise, start with level 1 Beginner English at 25,000 FCFA.
The full track has 5 levels (beginner, office, conversation, business, leadership) and costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 if you take it in full.
What English pays: 2026 orders of magnitude
English guarantees neither a job nor a raise, but it often decides between two candidates with the same profile, especially in NGOs, freight forwarding and the cotton trade.
| Job in Bobo-Dioulasso | Usual monthly net salary | Observed effect of working English |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative assistant | 120,000 to 200,000 FCFA | Bilingual premium or scale of 10 to 20% depending on the employer |
| Freight forwarder or customs agent | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Access to Ghana and Togo files, often better paid |
| Accountant at a cotton company | 200,000 to 350,000 FCFA | Direct contact with foreign buyers and auditors |
| NGO project officer | 300,000 to 600,000 FCFA | English often required in the job ad |
| Import-export sales rep | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA plus commission | Direct negotiation with Ghanaian suppliers |
These figures are market estimates, varying by employer and experience.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Mini case study
Aïssata, 29, an assistant at a freight forwarder in Bobo-Dioulasso, earns 160,000 FCFA net a month. About ten Ghanaian emails a week go through a colleague, and she loses around 3 hours translating. She takes the course over 6 weeks, 3 hours a week, in the evening. She then handles the English-language files on her own. If her employer applies a 10% bilingual premium, that is 16,000 FCFA a month, the 50,000 FCFA pays back in just over 3 months. Without a premium, she still gets her 3 weekly hours back. Illustrative scenario, not guaranteed.
FAQ
Is my high-school English enough for this level?
If you can introduce yourself in a few sentences and use the present simple, yes. Otherwise, level 1 at 25,000 FCFA brings you up to speed in about 13 hours before tackling emails.
How long does it take to finish?
The 18 hours take 4 to 6 weeks at 3 or 4 hours a week. Lessons are short and can be resumed on your phone between two files.
Does it cover Ghanaian accents?
The course trains you to listen to short business calls and gives phrases to ask people to repeat or spell. With two simulated calls a week, comprehension improves clearly in 4 to 6 weeks.
Do employers recognise the certificate?
It is a Kolonell Academy certificate verifiable online, to add to your CV or LinkedIn. It does not replace a TOEIC, but it proves 18 hours of practice and two submitted projects.
How do I pay from Burkina Faso?
The 50,000 FCFA is paid by Wave or Orange Money from your phone. Access opens as soon as payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges: 18 hours online, taught in French, 50,000 FCFA, 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.
