The verdict in three sentences
In Ziguinchor, most freelancers lose money not for lack of talent but because they give a bare price on WhatsApp instead of a quote structured in tiers. A designer who presents three clear options usually sells the middle tier, often 1.5 to 2 times their old single price (2026 order of magnitude). The rule that changes everything: every discount comes with something in return, never a free cut.
2026 rates in Casamance: where you stand
Ziguinchor is a smaller market than Dakar, but clients exist: hotels and lodges in Cap Skirring, shops around Saint-Maur market, NGOs, private schools, transport firms and farming cooperatives. Prices are lower than in the capital, which pushes many freelancers to undersell. Here are realistic ranges.
| Service (2026 order of magnitude) | Common undersold price in Ziguinchor | Fair range in Casamance | Dakar range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple logo + 2 variations | 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA | 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA |
| Brand guidelines (logo, colours, fonts, guide) | 50,000 FCFA | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA | 300,000 to 700,000 FCFA |
| Pack of 10 social media visuals per month | 20,000 FCFA | 40,000 to 80,000 FCFA | 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA |
| Flyer or poster (design only) | 5,000 to 10,000 FCFA | 15,000 to 40,000 FCFA | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA |
| 4 to 6 page showcase website | 100,000 to 150,000 FCFA | 250,000 to 600,000 FCFA | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA |
| Facebook and Instagram page management per month | 25,000 FCFA | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA | 100,000 to 250,000 FCFA |
If your prices sit in the first column, the problem is not the market: it is how you present your offer.
The structure of a quote that gets signed
A quote is not an early invoice. It is a sales document that reassures the client and frames the job. The 7 blocks to include:
- Client context in 2 lines (what you understood of their need).
- Measurable goal (e.g. "logo usable on a sign, vehicles and Facebook").
- Three tiers: essential, standard, complete, with the exact content of each.
- Number of revisions included (2 rounds, then 10,000 FCFA per revision).
- Timeline and start date conditional on the deposit.
- Payment terms: 50% deposit by Wave or Orange Money, balance on delivery.
- Validity of 15 days and transfer of rights stated.
| Item | Bare price on WhatsApp | 3-tier quote |
|---|---|---|
| Average price collected (logo) | 25,000 FCFA | 75,000 to 100,000 FCFA |
| Revisions | Unlimited, unframed | 2 included, then billed |
| Deposit | Often none | 50% before starting |
| Estimated signing rate | Variable, many "I'll get back to you" | 1 quote in 2 or 3 |
| Unpaid work | Frequent | Rare, deposit collected |
| Perceived image | "Small provider" | Professional |
Negotiating without underselling
When a client says "it's expensive", do not lower the price of the same tier. Offer to remove content (lower tier), extend the timeline or get something in return: full payment upfront, a testimonial, a referral to two contacts. These are exactly the reflexes trained in the Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation course, level 2 of the Freelance and entrepreneurship track. It costs 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR / 83 USD) for 10 h of content, taught in French, with a certificate, payable by Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA (about 535 EUR / 580 USD).
Compared with the alternatives, this is modest: an in-person sales seminar costs 75,000 to 200,000 FCFA in Dakar and requires travelling from Ziguinchor, while free videos rarely talk about Senegalese clients, Wave or haggling.
Mini case study
Fatou, 27, a freelance designer in Ziguinchor, sells logos at 25,000 FCFA and makes about 4 logos a month, i.e. 100,000 FCFA. After the course, she presents three tiers: 50,000, 90,000 and 150,000 FCFA.
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
- Out of 4 clients, 1 takes essential, 2 standard, 1 complete: 50,000 + 180,000 + 150,000 = 380,000 FCFA.
- Even losing one client in four, she collects about 285,000 FCFA, i.e. 185,000 FCFA more than before.
- The 50,000 FCFA course is paid back in the first month, in under two weeks.
This scenario is an estimate: the signing rate depends on your portfolio and your prospects.
FAQ
Should you post your prices on Facebook in Ziguinchor?
Showing a "from" price (e.g. logo from 50,000 FCFA) filters out the merely curious without blocking the conversation. The exact price goes in the quote, after a 10 to 15 minute discussion about the need.
What deposit should you ask for?
The common practice is 50% before starting, paid by Wave or Orange Money. For a 400,000 FCFA showcase website, you can split 40% / 30% / 30% by milestone.
How do you answer "my cousin does it for 10,000 FCFA"?
Do not argue about the cousin's price: show what is included (vector files, variations, 2 revisions, rights transferred). Offer the essential tier if needed, without lowering the standard one.
Is the course useful if I am not a designer?
Yes, it targets all digital service providers: writing, community management, video, websites, virtual assistance. You just need to have already signed a few first clients.
How long does it take?
The content runs 10 h, about 2 weeks at 1 h a day. You leave with your three-tier offer and a proposal template ready to send.
Take the next step. Enroll in Selling your services: offer, quote and negotiation: 10 h, 50,000 FCFA (about 76 EUR), Kolonell Academy 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.
