The verdict in three sentences
A Dakar tailor or dressmaker who masters the photo catalog, remote measurements and the 50% deposit can turn WhatsApp and Instagram into a real shop, including for the diaspora. The course E-commerce: selling online in Senegal and francophone Africa (level 2, 50,000 FCFA, about EUR 76, 12 hours, taught in French) teaches exactly this setup, with no costly website at the start. With a margin of 8,000 to 15,000 FCFA per boubou, a few more online orders a month repay the course in 3 to 6 weeks, as a 2026 ballpark.
What holds tailoring workshops back online
In Médina, HLM or Colobane, most workshops already get requests on WhatsApp. The issue is rarely a lack of customers, it is organization:
- Inconsistent photos: the customer cannot see the finish, hesitates or asks for ten more pictures.
- Rough measurements: without a guided measurement sheet, an alteration costs 1 to 2 hours of work and an unhappy customer.
- No deposit: an outfit sewn and never collected means 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA of fabric and labor lost.
- Unclear delivery: without a set rate, every order becomes a negotiation.
- Diaspora underserved: Paris, Milan or New York happily order for Tabaski or a wedding, but payment and shipping must be simple.
| Item | Common practice | Recommended 2026 practice |
|---|---|---|
| Price of a made-to-measure boubou | 25,000 to 150,000 FCFA depending on fabric and embroidery | Price grid by range, fabric included or not |
| Deposit | Often none | 50% at order, balance before delivery |
| Delivery in Dakar | Negotiated each time | 1,500 to 3,000 FCFA by zone |
| Delivery to regions (Thiès, Saint-Louis, Kaolack) | Bus or informal carrier | 2,500 to 5,000 FCFA, stated lead time |
| Diaspora shipping (Europe) | Through a traveling relative | Parcel carrier, 8,000 to 20,000 FCFA per kilo |
| Payment | Cash on handover | Wave or Orange Money, card for the diaspora |
| Sewing lead time | Variable | Announced: 5 to 10 days, 3 weeks before holidays |
Comparing ways to learn online selling
| Option | 2026 cost | Duration | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free YouTube videos | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Unlimited, scattered | General tips, poorly suited to Senegal |
| International online certificates | 15,000 to 60,000 FCFA | 10 to 30 h | Theory, payments and shipping designed for Europe |
| In-person training in Dakar | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 2 to 5 days | Direct contact, but the workshop closes meanwhile |
| Kolonell level 2 E-commerce | 50,000 FCFA | 12 h, self-paced | Catalog, Wave and Orange Money payments, delivery, certificate |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Progressive | From first sale to a structured shop |
Level 2 is enough to start: you learn to build a WhatsApp Business catalog, set prices and delivery fees, collect a deposit by Wave or Orange Money and track orders. If you later want to go as far as an online store, advertising and stock management, the E-commerce and online selling track bundles all 5 levels for 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Fatou, 29, a dressmaker in Médina, sells about twenty outfits a month, mostly by word of mouth, at an average margin of 10,000 FCFA per piece. She takes the level 2 course for 50,000 FCFA. She photographs her designs in daylight, publishes a 25-item WhatsApp catalog, sets Dakar delivery at 2,000 FCFA and asks for a 50% deposit via Wave.
As a ballpark, if she gets 6 more online orders a month, 2 of them from the diaspora, she earns 60,000 FCFA in extra margin. The deposit also saves her one uncollected outfit every two months, about 12,000 FCFA a month. The course pays back in 3 to 4 weeks. These figures are an estimate: results depend on the quality of designs, photos and how regularly she posts.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
FAQ
Do I need a website to sell outfits online?
No, a WhatsApp Business catalog and an Instagram account are enough to start. A website becomes useful beyond 50 to 100 orders a month or for the diaspora, and then costs 250,000 FCFA or more.
How do I take a customer's measurements remotely?
With a guided measurement sheet (about ten measurements) and a short explainer video sent on WhatsApp. The course provides a sheet template, which cuts alterations that often take 1 to 2 hours each.
What deposit should I ask for?
The Dakar norm is 50% at order, paid by Wave or Orange Money. For a 60,000 FCFA outfit, you collect 30,000 FCFA before buying the fabric.
How do I pay for the course?
Level 2 costs 50,000 FCFA (about EUR 76 or USD 83), paid by Wave or Orange Money at enrollment. You follow the 12 hours at your own pace on your phone; the course is taught in French.
I am not comfortable with digital tools, is this for me?
Yes, level 2 is rated beginner. You only need to know how to use WhatsApp and take photos with your phone.
Take the next step. Enroll in E-commerce: selling online in Senegal and francophone Africa: 12 hours, 50,000 FCFA (about EUR 76), Kolonell Academy 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.
