The verdict in three sentences
When a freelance designer or developer in Ouagadougou starts turning down work, the problem is no longer sales but organization. Hiring too early drains cash, hiring too late drives clients away: the right decision rests on a calculated monthly revenue threshold, not a hunch. Structured subcontracting is often the safest intermediate step before the first employee.
Subcontractor or employee: comparing real costs
In Ouagadougou in 2026, an overloaded freelancer has two options. Subcontracting is flexible but eats into the margin on every job. An employee is a fixed cost, profitable only with a steady order book.
| Criterion | Freelance subcontractor | Junior employee (permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 60 to 70% of the job's selling price | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA per month all-in |
| Commitment | Per job, no notice | Contract, CNSS contributions, notice period |
| Remaining gross margin | 30 to 40% | Variable: 50 to 70% at full workload |
| Quality control | Weak without written procedures | Strong, in-house training possible |
| Risk in a slow month | None | Salary due even without projects |
| Ramp-up time | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 3 months (hiring + training) |
The simple rule: as long as your volume swings by more than 40% month to month, stick with subcontracting. Once three consecutive months exceed your capacity by more than 60 hours, an employee becomes profitable.
The revenue threshold before hiring
The calculation rests on your fixed costs and your margin per job. Example for a small design agency in Ouaga 2000 or Koulouba (2026 order of magnitude).
| Monthly item | Amount (FCFA) |
|---|---|
| Junior salary, all-in | 200,000 |
| Your own pay | 350,000 |
| Coworking space | 60,000 |
| Internet, software (Adobe, Figma) | 55,000 |
| Electricity, transport, misc. | 35,000 |
| Total fixed costs | 700,000 |
| Revenue threshold (70% gross margin) | about 1,000,000 |
If your average revenue over the last three months exceeds 1,000,000 FCFA and you are turning work down, the first hire is justified. Below that, consolidate your offers and procedures first.
The course Growing your agency: processes, subcontracting and hiring, taught in French, walks through these calculations step by step: standardized offers, written procedures, project management, subcontracting contracts, first hires and agency finances. It is level 4 Intermediate of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track, at 100,000 FCFA for 28 hours.
What to set up before the first contract
| Workstream | Why | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized offers (3 packages) | Faster quotes, known margin | 1 week |
| Written production procedures | The employee delivers without you | 2 weeks |
| Standard subcontracting contract | Confidentiality, deadlines, penalties | 2 days |
| Job description and skills test | Hire on proof, not on a CV | 3 days |
| 6-month cash-flow sheet | Pay salaries on a fixed date | 2 days |
Mini case study
Issa, 31, a freelance graphic designer in Ouagadougou, has billed an average of 1,150,000 FCFA a month for four months and turns down about two jobs a month, roughly 300,000 FCFA lost.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- With a subcontractor at 65%, those 300,000 FCFA would bring 105,000 FCFA of margin.
- With a junior at 200,000 FCFA, able to handle those jobs plus 30% of his current output, Issa frees about 40 hours a month for prospecting.
- Estimated gain: 300,000 FCFA of recovered jobs + 2 new clients at 250,000 FCFA = 800,000 FCFA, minus 200,000 FCFA of salary, i.e. 600,000 FCFA of extra revenue net of salary.
The 100,000 FCFA course is covered in the first month if this scenario holds. This is an estimate: results depend on prospecting and the market.
FAQ
At what revenue should I hire in Ouagadougou?
As an order of magnitude, with fixed costs of 700,000 FCFA, aim for at least 1,000,000 FCFA of steady monthly revenue over three months. The course helps you calculate your own threshold.
Is subcontracting risky for the client relationship?
It is without a contract or procedures. A standard contract with a confidentiality clause and written quality control greatly reduce the risk, at a cost of 60 to 70% of the selling price.
How long is the course?
28 hours, online and self-paced, about 5 weeks at 6 hours a week.
Do I need the whole track?
No, level 4 can be taken alone if you are already an experienced freelancer. The full track (5 levels) costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
How do I pay from Burkina Faso?
By Orange Money or Wave, 100,000 FCFA in one go.
Take the next step. Enroll in Growing your agency: processes, subcontracting and hiring: 28 hours, level 4 Intermediate, 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR), certificate included, 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.
