The verdict in three sentences
From Touba, a beginner developer who already knows HTML and JavaScript can aim for remote contracts and jobs with agencies in Dakar or Europe, provided they have a stable connection and a credible React portfolio. React projects for small businesses are negotiated at roughly 500,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA, and remote jobs at 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA a month for profiles with some experience, but juniors usually start lower. The Kolonell Academy React and Next.js course, taught in French, costs 100,000 FCFA (about 152 EUR) for 24 hours, payable with Wave or Orange Money, and has you ship two live applications as proof.
Hardware and connection: what you really need in Touba
Remote work is first about being reachable and productive. In Touba, fibre is expanding in some neighbourhoods and 4G covers most of the city, with slowdowns during the Magal when the network gets saturated.
| Item (2026 order of magnitude) | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop (8 GB RAM, SSD) | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA, refurbished or entry-level new | 8 GB is enough for React and Next.js |
| Fibre or 4G home router | 20,000 to 30,000 FCFA a month | Plan a backup mobile bundle |
| Backup mobile bundle | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA a month | Hotspot during outages |
| UPS or power bank | 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA | Power cuts cost you meetings |
| Headset with microphone | 5,000 to 15,000 FCFA | Essential for client calls |
| Tools (VS Code, Git, Vercel free tier) | 0 FCFA | Enough to start |
Monthly running costs are therefore around 25,000 to 40,000 FCFA, plus the upfront laptop cost if you do not have one yet.
What the React and Next.js course teaches
The course takes 24 hours: 8 modules, 40 lessons, 97 corrected exercises, a quiz per module and 8 projects to submit, each graded against a rubric. These projects build two real applications: online ordering for the Chez Fatou restaurant in React, then booking for the Awa Beauté salon in Next.js.
| Block | Modules | What a recruiter checks |
|---|---|---|
| React foundations | Components, JSX, props, state and events | You split an interface cleanly |
| Data and forms | Lists, validated forms, effects, custom hooks | You handle loading, errors and validation |
| Architecture | Global state with useReducer and Context | Your code stays readable as the project grows |
| Next.js | App Router, Server Components, SEO | You ship a fast, indexable app |
| Server side | Server Actions validated with Zod, protected admin area | You secure data and access |
| Production | Tests, performance on mobile networks, deployment | Your app holds up in real conditions |
This is an intermediate level: you need solid JavaScript basics (functions, arrays, DOM, fetch). It is level 4 of the Web development track, which leads to level 5, Full-stack JavaScript developer, with APIs and databases. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000.
Realistic income: contracts, first job and remote work
Figures circulate a lot on social media, often inflated. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude, to read against your actual level.
| Situation | Pay (2026 order of magnitude) | Expected level |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering or booking app for a small business, freelance | 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per project | Junior with portfolio |
| Larger React project for a Dakar agency | 500,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA per contract | Confirmed junior to mid-level |
| Internship or first job in Dakar | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA a month | Junior |
| Fast-growing start-up | Up to 500,000 FCFA a month | Strong junior |
| Remote job for a European agency or company | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA a month (about 610 to 1,525 EUR) | Several shipped projects, technical English |
| In-person bootcamp in Dakar | 500,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA in fees | To compare with 100,000 FCFA online |
The difference between Touba and Dakar comes down to cost of living, often lower, and professional network, thinner. An online portfolio and an active GitHub profile make up for part of that gap. No income is guaranteed, and the first remote contract often takes several months.
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.
Serigne, 25, beginner developer in Touba. He knows HTML, CSS and JavaScript and already owns a laptop.
- Investment: 100,000 FCFA course, plus a 4G router at 25,000 FCFA a month for 3 months of training and job hunting, so 175,000 FCFA.
- In month four, a Dakar agency hires him to build a clinic booking app for 600,000 FCFA, paid in two instalments.
- Net gain from the first contract: 600,000 minus 175,000, so 425,000 FCFA.
- Return on investment: the first contract covers all costs more than three times.
Slower alternative: a remote internship at 200,000 FCFA a month repays the investment in just under one month of pay, but sometimes starts six months after the course.
FAQ
Can you really land a remote job from Touba?
Yes, agencies look at your portfolio, your GitHub code and how reliable your connection is, not your address. Juniors more often land one-off contracts first, between 400,000 and 1,200,000 FCFA, before a monthly position.
Do I need English to work with Europe?
For French, Belgian or Dakar agencies, French is enough. For the rest of Europe, written technical English is often required, and those roles generally pay at the top of the 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA range.
My laptop has 4 GB of RAM. Is that enough?
It works for learning, but gets slow with Next.js and a browser open together. Upgrading to 8 GB often costs 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA if the machine allows it.
How do I pay for the course?
The 100,000 FCFA is paid with Wave or Orange Money. For the whole Web development track, the price is 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 for all 5 levels.
How long does it take to finish the course?
It represents 24 hours of lessons, but the 8 projects need extra practice time. At 8 to 10 hours a week, plan 6 to 8 weeks to submit everything.
Take the next step. Enroll in React and Next.js: build modern web applications (taught in French): 24 hours, 100,000 FCFA, 8 graded projects and a certificate verifiable online. 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.
