Enrolling Now — Batch 1
Kesari Institute
Practical skills from people who use them every day. Export-import trade and computer/digital skills training, out of Lungi, Sierra Leone — in person and online.
Two Tracks, One Institute
Practitioner-led. Real documents, real computers, real outcomes — not just textbooks.
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Kesari EXIM Academy
Learn export-import trade from a practicing CA/CS/LLB trade operator — documents, shipping, letters of credit, buyers.
See EXIM courses →💻
Kesari IT Academy
Hands-on computer & digital skills — MS Office, typing, internet, mobile money safety, and job-ready digital tools.
See IT courses →Why Kesari Institute
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Practitioner-led
Taught by people who do this work daily — not from a textbook.
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Real documents, real computers
EXIM: fill live bills of lading, LCs, invoices. IT: hands-on lab time, not slideshows.
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Desk apprenticeship & job-ready skills
Top EXIM graduates run real shipments through Kesari Global. IT graduates leave able to work.
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Lungi + online
In-person at Lungi (opposite the airport) or self-paced online — either track, your choice.
Courses & Fees
Local fees priced for Sierra Leone; online tiers priced for diaspora & overseas learners. Two installments available via Orange Money.
EXIM Kesari EXIM Academy
| Tier | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Certificate | NLe 1,500 (early bird NLe 1,200) | 24 hrs classes, printed handbook, certificate, WhatsApp alumni group |
| Professional Diploma | NLe 3,800 (Foundation grads: NLe 3,000) | 48 hrs, live document workshop, diploma, LinkedIn endorsement |
| EXIM Online Pro | USD 199 (launch offer USD 149) | 20+ recorded modules, templates pack, 4 live Q&A calls, certificate |
| Corporate / SME Track | USD 499–1,500 | Customized curriculum, up to 10 staff, compliance audit checklist |
| Practical Apprenticeship | NLe 1,000 admin fee | 4-week desk attachment, live shipment exposure, reference letter |
IT Kesari IT Academy
| Tier | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| IT Foundation Certificate | NLe 800 (early bird NLe 600) | 20 hrs hands-on lab time, printed handbook, certificate, alumni group |
| IT Professional Diploma | NLe 1,800 (Foundation grads: NLe 1,400) | 40 hrs, advanced Excel/typing/freelancing module, diploma |
| IT Online Self-Paced | USD 49 (launch offer USD 35) | 15+ recorded modules, practice files, certificate — no lab access needed |
| School/Youth Batch | NLe 500 (group discount 5+) | 16 hrs, basic + typing focus, school-holiday scheduling |
Curriculum
EXIM Professional Diploma in Export-Import Management (Foundation = Modules 1–5)
1. Foundations of International Trade — 4 hrs
Trade flows, why intermediaries exist, commission vs principal models.
2. The Sierra Leone Export Ecosystem — 5 hrs
Ministry of Trade export license, Produce Monitoring Board inspection, 2.5% FOB levy, NRA, SLIEPA, phytosanitary certificates.
3. Commodity Deep-Dive: Cocoa, Cashew, Ginger, Sesame, Coffee — 6 hrs
Seasons, quality grades, moisture/count specs, rejection risks, EU deforestation rule (EUDR) impact on cocoa.
4. INCOTERMS 2020 in Practice — 4 hrs
EXW→DDP, who pays what, where risk transfers, choosing terms as a small exporter.
5. Export Documentation Masterclass — 6 hrs
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (ECOWAS/AfCFTA), inspection certs — filled live on real templates.
6. Payments & Letters of Credit — 5 hrs
LC lifecycle, discrepancies, TT vs LC vs escrow, currency risk NLe/USD, bank charges.
7. Shipping, Freight & Logistics — 5 hrs
Container vs breakbulk, freight quotes, Freetown port procedure, clearing agents, demurrage traps.
8. Customs, Compliance & Trade Law — 5 hrs
HS codes, ECOWAS ETLS, AfCFTA rules of origin, sanctions screening, contracts & dispute basics.
9. Finding & Keeping Overseas Buyers — 4 hrs
B2B platforms, trade fairs, embassy commercial sections, diaspora networks, WhatsApp-first outreach.
10. Digital Tools for Modern Traders — 2 hrs
Tracking, e-docs, AI-assisted documentation, spreadsheet costing models.
11. Capstone: The Mock Shipment — 2 hrs
Full simulated cocoa shipment Lungi→Rotterdam: docs, costing, LC, timeline — graded.
IT Professional Diploma in Computer & Digital Skills (Foundation = Modules 1–4)
1. Computer & Internet Fundamentals — 6 hrs
Parts of a computer, mouse/keyboard basics, Windows navigation, files & folders, internet browsing, safe email setup.
2. Microsoft Office Essentials — 10 hrs
Word (letters, CVs, formatting), Excel (tables, basic formulas, budgets), PowerPoint (presentations) — all hands-on.
3. Typing & Everyday Productivity — 4 hrs
Touch-typing drills, Google Workspace/Docs basics, cloud storage, printing/scanning workflows.
4. Smartphone & Digital Life Skills — 4 hrs
Mobile money (Orange Money) safely, WhatsApp Business basics, spotting scams/phishing, account/password security.
5. Intro to the Digital Economy — 8 hrs
Freelancing platforms overview, building a simple CV/portfolio, using AI tools for writing and job-hunting, online job boards.
6. Capstone: Digital Skills Certification Test — 8 hrs
Timed practical exam — format a CV in Word, build a budget in Excel, send a professional email, complete a mock mobile-money transaction safely.
Batch Calendar & Roadmap
| Month | Milestone | Target |
|---|---|---|
| M1 (Jul–Aug 2026) | Enrollment opens — EXIM Foundation Batch 1 Open + IT Foundation/Online Batch 1 Open | 20 combined leads |
| M2 (Sep) | EXIM Foundation Batch 1 runs; IT Foundation Batch 1 runs (or online-only if lab pending) | ≥10 EXIM + ≥6 IT graduates |
| M3 (Oct) | EXIM Diploma Batch 1 + Foundation Batch 2; IT Diploma Batch 1 + Foundation Batch 2 | 20 EXIM + 12 IT students |
| M4 (Nov) | EXIM Online Pro + IT Online Self-Paced launch (Stripe checkout) | 10 EXIM + 5 IT online sales |
| M5 (Dec) | Sourcing Desk pilot (EXIM); first IT graduate job-placement referral | 1 live trade inquiry + 1 placement story |
| M6 (Jan 2027) | Pricing review, TVET/ministry recognition application, Batch 3, corporate/school outreach | Break-even on cumulative costs |
Faculty
Uday "Yogi" Pandya
Lead Faculty · EXIM Academy
CA, CS, CMA, LLB, LLM. Active shipping & trade operator based in Lungi, Sierra Leone — runs real vessel operations and customs filings through Kesari Global. Records EXIM video modules and the IT Academy's "AI tools for work" segment.
Institute Administrator
Coordinator · IT Academy Lead Instructor
On-ground in Lungi — runs enrollment, batch logistics, and delivers all in-person IT Academy classes hands-on in the computer lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches the courses?
EXIM: a practitioner CA/CS/LLB-qualified active trade operator. IT: our on-ground Administrator, with supporting video lessons from the same lead faculty.
Do I need a degree to join?
No. Foundation (either track) requires only English literacy.
Is the certificate recognized?
Kesari Institute certificate; government/TVET recognition is in progress for both tracks.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes, two installments via Orange Money, either track.
Is there an online option?
Yes — EXIM Online Pro and IT Online Self-Paced, both self-paced with a certificate.
Will EXIM help me start exporting?
Yes — top graduates get a desk apprenticeship and can run first shipments through Kesari Global.
Do I need my own computer for the IT course?
No for in-person Foundation/Diploma — lab computers are provided at Lungi. Yes for Online Self-Paced (or use a smartphone for parts of the course).
Can I take both tracks?
Yes — EXIM Diploma graduates get a discount on the IT Foundation Certificate and vice versa.
Reserve My Seat
Pick your course below. We'll confirm your seat by WhatsApp and share payment options (Orange Money, GTBank, or Stripe for online tiers).