The verdict in three sentences
For a customs declarant or freight forwarding agent at the port of Dakar, useful English covers a narrow scope: follow-up emails, calls with shipping lines, document requests and claims. A course focused on office English covers this need for 50,000 FCFA in 18 h, where an institute charges 80,000 to 200,000 FCFA per term for general English. The salary gap observed for bilingual profiles, roughly 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month, pays the course back in a few weeks.
Where English comes in during a freight forwarding day in Dakar
Shipping lines, foreign forwarders and part of the importers write in English. An agent who must have every message translated by a colleague loses time and lets free-time deadlines slip, which means demurrage billed to the client.
| Situation at the port of Dakar | Typical frequency | What the agent must do in English |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel arrival confirmation and arrival notice | Daily | Read the email, confirm the date, ask for the bill of lading |
| Request for missing documents (BL, invoice, certificate of origin) | Several times a week | Write a clear request with a deadline |
| Call from a shipping line or shipping agent | 2 to 5 times a week | Introduce yourself, note a reference, confirm in writing |
| Claim about damage or delay | Monthly | Describe facts, attach evidence, stay courteous |
| Forwarding quote for an English-speaking client | Weekly | Present fees, lead times, conditions |
| Video call with a foreign forwarder | Occasional | Grasp the essentials, rephrase, conclude |
None of these situations requires literary English. They require precise vocabulary, email templates and the confidence to pick up the phone without panicking.
Comparing the options to learn in 2026
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Duration | Suited to freight forwarding? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private English institute in Dakar | 80,000 to 200,000 FCFA per term | 3 months, 2 to 3 sessions per week | General English, hard to fit around port shifts |
| Free apps and videos | 0 to 5,000 FCFA per month | Variable | Everyday vocabulary, nothing on business emails |
| Private tutor at home | 10,000 to 20,000 FCFA per hour | Depends on budget | Customizable but expensive over time |
| Kolonell Academy, Office English (level 2) | 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) | 18 h at your own pace | Emails, phone, video calls, ready-to-use templates, certificate |
| Full Professional English track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | From basics up to business and leadership English |
The course Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges, taught in French, is level 2 of the track, beginner level. It has five modules: introducing yourself and your company, office vocabulary, writing simple and effective emails, phone and video calls, then requests and exchanges with colleagues and clients.
If you know almost no English, level 1 Beginner English costs 25,000 FCFA. If you want to go as far as negotiating with foreign clients, the next levels of the Professional English track go up to business English. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
What English pays in freight forwarding
| Profile in Dakar (2026 estimate) | Net monthly salary | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Junior forwarding agent, French only | 150,000 to 220,000 FCFA | Data entry and field tasks |
| Bilingual forwarding agent | 200,000 to 350,000 FCFA | Handles foreign client files |
| Experienced customs declarant | 250,000 to 400,000 FCFA | Bonus with an English-speaking portfolio |
| Account manager at a shipping agency | 300,000 to 500,000 FCFA | English almost mandatory |
| Observed gap for a bilingual profile | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA per month | Depends on the company and portfolio |
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
These are estimates, not official scales. They show a trend: in a job oriented toward shipping lines, English opens the best-paid files.
Mini case study
Illustrative scenario: Moussa, 27, forwarding agent in a freight company in Dakar, paid 180,000 FCFA net per month. His manager only gives him French-speaking files because he does not dare answer shipping line emails.
- Office English course cost: 50,000 FCFA, paid with Orange Money.
- Pace: 3 h per week, 6 weeks for the 18 h.
- After two months, he handles three English-speaking clients alone and gets a salary review to 230,000 FCFA, 50,000 FCFA more per month.
- Payback: 50,000 / 50,000 = one month.
Even without a raise, time saved counts: avoiding 30 minutes of translation per day gives back about 10 h per month to his work.
FAQ
Do I need to speak English already to take level 2? You need the basics: introducing yourself, numbers, a few common verbs. Otherwise, level 1 at 25,000 FCFA is the right starting point.
Is the course specific to maritime freight? It covers office English in all sectors. The email, request and call templates apply directly to exchanges with shipping lines and clients.
How long before I can write an email alone? With 18 h of training and the templates provided, most learners write a simple follow-up email after 2 to 3 weeks of regular practice.
Is the salary increase guaranteed? No. The 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA gap is a 2026 estimate observed for bilingual profiles. It depends on your employer and the files you take on.
How do I pay? Payment is made with Wave or Orange Money, in one go: 50,000 FCFA for this level, or 350,000 FCFA for the full track.
Take the next step. Enroll in Office English: emails, phone and daily exchanges: 18 h at your own pace, 50,000 FCFA, Kolonell Academy certificate included. 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.
