The verdict in three sentences
Fish processors in Guet Ndar and Saint-Louis make products in demand in Dakar, Touba and the diaspora, yet most still sell only at the market or through middlemen. WhatsApp Business, which is free, lets them show a catalogue, take remote orders and get paid by Wave or Orange Money before shipping by bus. Five hours of training are enough to set up a clean WhatsApp shop and aim for a 20 to 40% sales increase in three months.
What WhatsApp changes for a fish processor
| Traditional selling | Selling with WhatsApp Business |
|---|---|
| Customers limited to the Saint-Louis market | Customers in Dakar, Touba, Thiès and the diaspora |
| Price haggled every time | Prices shown in the catalogue |
| Middleman takes a cut | Direct sales, margin kept |
| Cash on delivery, risk of non-payment | Wave or Orange Money payment before shipping |
| Customers forgotten after the sale | Broadcast list of 256 contacts to announce new batches |
| Orders kept in memory | Labels: new, paid, shipped, delivered |
Figures to start right
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business | 0 FCFA | Free app, dedicated number recommended |
| Catalogue | 20 to 50 products | Kéthiakh, guedj, yet, sali, dried fish by size |
| Broadcast list | 256 contacts per list | Several lists possible by city |
| Bus shipping to Dakar or Touba | 2,000 to 5,000 FCFA per parcel | Depending on weight and bus station |
| Wave fees to receive | 0 FCFA on receipt, 1% on withdrawal depending on service | Check current terms |
| Target sales increase | 20 to 40% in 3 months | A goal, not a guarantee |
| Kolonell "Sell on WhatsApp" course | 25,000 FCFA, 5 h | Level 1 of the e-commerce track |
These amounts are estimates to check with your carrier and operator.
Which course to choose
| Option | 2026 cost | What you learn | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tips from a relative or neighbour | 0 FCFA | App basics | No method for orders and payments |
| YouTube videos | 0 FCFA + mobile data | Isolated features | Nothing on bus shipping or Wave scams |
| NGO or GIE workshop | 0 to 15,000 FCFA | Awareness | Rare dates, little follow-up |
| Kolonell "Sell on WhatsApp" | 25,000 FCFA, 5 h | Catalogue, orders, verified payments | Requires a smartphone |
| E-commerce and online selling track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | From WhatsApp to an online shop | To go further later |
The course Sell on WhatsApp: catalogue, orders and payments is level 1, beginner, of the E-commerce and online selling track. It is taught in French. It shows how to create the business profile, photograph products, write quick replies, track every order and verify a Wave or Orange Money payment before shipping, to avoid fake screenshots.
Mini case study
Mariama, 38, processes and sells kéthiakh and guedj in Guet Ndar. She makes about 300,000 FCFA in sales a month at the market, with a margin of about 30%, or 90,000 FCFA. After the 25,000 FCFA course, she builds a 25-product catalogue and a broadcast list of 180 customers, including families in Dakar and Italy. She adds 25% in sales, or 75,000 FCFA of revenue and about 22,500 FCFA of extra margin a month, with bus fees paid by customers. The course pays for itself in just over a month, about 5 weeks. This result is an example: it depends on regular shipments and fish supply.
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 to read and write French?
Basic reading helps, but quick replies and voice messages let you work in Wolof too. The course lasts 5 hours and can be followed with a daughter, son or neighbour.
How do I ship to Dakar or Touba without loss?
Vacuum-pack or use double bags, note the driver's number and send the customer a photo of the parcel. Shipping usually costs 2,000 to 5,000 FCFA, charged to the customer.
How do I avoid fake payments?
Always check receipt in your own Wave or Orange Money app, never on a screenshot sent by the customer. The course devotes a whole module to this.
Can I sell to the diaspora?
Yes, family members often collect the parcel locally, or a freight forwarder ships it by air. Diaspora customers usually pay by Wave or transfer and order in batches of 10,000 to 50,000 FCFA.
How do I pay for enrolment?
The 25,000 FCFA enrolment is paid with Wave or Orange Money. The full track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
Take the next step. Enroll in Sell on WhatsApp: catalogue, orders and payments: 5 h online, 25,000 FCFA (about 38 EUR), Kolonell Academy certificate. 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.
