The verdict in three sentences
In Dakar, an administrative assistant who produces letters, tracking spreadsheets and management presentations on her own stands out quickly, and jobs requiring the full Office suite often pay 250,000 FCFA (381 EUR) or more (2026 order of magnitude). Institutes charge 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA (152 to 381 EUR) for the package, with fixed hours and few real projects. The Kolonell Academy level 4 Full Office Suite course, 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR, about 168 USD) for 22 hours and 8 corrected projects, targets exactly team-based office work.
Office training options in Dakar in 2026
A secretary in a law firm on the Plateau, an assistant in an NGO in Mermoz or a candidate for a job at a group subsidiary in Les Almadies: expectations converge. You need an error-free mail merge, an Excel sheet that consolidates several sources and a presentation a director can read in five minutes.
| Option | Indicative price 2026 | Volume | Real projects | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office skills institute (Plateau, Sacré-Cœur) | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA (152 to 381 EUR) | 30 to 60 h in class | 1 or 2 summary exercises | Fixed hours, group pace |
| Microsoft Office Specialist exam | 60,000 to 100,000 FCFA (91 to 152 EUR) per exam | Exam only | None | Certifies software, not a work method |
| Free online tutorials | 0 FCFA (+ data) | Unlimited | None | Scattered content, no correction |
| Kolonell Academy level 4 | 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR) | 22 h, 40 lessons, 96 exercises | 8 projects graded on a rubric | Assumes Word and Excel basics |
| Full Office Productivity track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 (534 EUR instead of 686) | From level 1 to executive assistant | 5 certificates | Commitment over several months |
The official Microsoft certification remains useful if an employer cites it in the job ad. It can be prepared after the course, but it does not replace a portfolio of real documents.
The programme: 8 modules built for the office
The course Full Office Suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work, taught in French, links the three programs as in a real working day. The report reuses the Excel figures, the presentation reuses the report.
| Module | Key skill | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The shared workspace | OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, versions | Structured team folder |
| 2. Word at work | Templates, mail merge, forms | 30 personalised letters |
| 3. Excel at work | Consolidation, Power Query, analysis | Multi-source tracking sheet |
| 4 to 6. PowerPoint | Message, brand layout, useful charts and animations | Branded PowerPoint template |
| 7. Presenting with impact | Speaking in a room or on video call | Video of a 7-minute presentation |
| 8. Making the suite work together | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Copilot | Complete linked monthly report pack |
It is level 4 of the Office Productivity track, after Practical Excel and before level 5, Executive Assistant.
Target salaries and income in Dakar
| Profile | Pay, 2026 order of magnitude | What the employer checks |
|---|---|---|
| Junior secretary | 150,000 to 200,000 FCFA (229 to 305 EUR) gross per month | Word, letters, filing |
| Experienced administrative assistant | 200,000 to 300,000 FCFA (305 to 457 EUR) | Word, Excel, shared calendar |
| Assistant or reporting officer, full suite | 250,000 to 450,000 FCFA (381 to 686 EUR) | Consolidated Excel, management PowerPoint |
| Freelance: professional presentation | 25,000 to 100,000 FCFA (38 to 152 EUR) per deck | Portfolio |
| Freelance: branded PowerPoint template | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA (76 to 229 EUR) per template | Client references |
These ranges vary by sector and experience. No income is guaranteed.
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, 29, an administrative assistant at a freight forwarding SME in Dakar, earns 180,000 FCFA (274 EUR) a month. At each month end, she spends about three days copying figures from four files into a Word report and then into slides. After the 22 hours of level 4, taken over five weeks, she produces the same pack in half a day thanks to Power Query and linked charts. She recovers about 2.5 days a month, which she spends on invoice follow-up. Six months later, she negotiates a raise to 230,000 FCFA with the title of reporting assistant. The 50,000 FCFA (76 EUR) monthly gain pays back the 100,000 FCFA in two months. Outside her job, two presentations billed at 40,000 FCFA each would already cover 80% of the price. Indicative scenario, no guarantee.
FAQ
Do I need to know Word and Excel already?
Yes, level 4 assumes the basics: typing a letter, a sum or a simple table. If not, start with levels 1 to 3, or take the full track for 350,000 FCFA (534 EUR).
Does the course replace the Microsoft certification?
No. The Kolonell certificate, verifiable online, attests 22 hours and 8 corrected projects. The Microsoft exam, 60,000 to 100,000 FCFA (91 to 152 EUR) per test, is taken separately at an approved centre.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 licence?
It is preferable for Teams, SharePoint and Copilot. A personal subscription costs about 4,000 to 6,000 FCFA (6 to 9 EUR) a month in 2026, and many employers already provide a licence.
How much time per week should I plan?
With 4 to 5 hours a week, the 22 hours are completed in five to six weeks, projects included.
How do I pay the 100,000 FCFA?
By Wave or Orange Money, straight from your phone. Access to the 40 lessons opens once payment is confirmed.
Take the next step. Enroll in Full Office Suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work: 22 hours, 100,000 FCFA (152 EUR), 8 corrected projects and a 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.
