The verdict in three sentences
An inaccessible institutional site excludes nearly one in seven visitors and faces growing reputational risk. The 2026 reference target is WCAG 2.1 level AA, covering contrast, keyboard navigation, text alternatives and screen-reader compatibility. It has also become a decisive criterion in public and corporate tenders.
The 4 pillars of accessibility and their criteria
Accessibility is measured against concrete, verifiable criteria. Here are the most structural ones to audit first.
| Pillar | Key AA criterion | Threshold / requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | Normal text | Ratio ≥ 4.5:1 |
| Contrast | Large text / icons | Ratio ≥ 3:1 |
| Keyboard navigation | All interactive elements | Usable without a mouse |
| Alternatives | Informative images | Meaningful alt attribute |
| Screen readers | Semantic structure | Correct headings and ARIA |
| Forms | Labels | Fields named and linked |
A site failing on contrast and keyboard navigation is generally non-conformant, even if the design looks polished. These two points concentrate most of the errors found on West African institutional sites.
Cost of an audit and remediation
Accessibility work happens in two stages: the diagnostic audit, then the fixes. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Service | Timeline | Indicative 2026 price (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility audit (sample) | 5-8 days | 300,000 - 500,000 |
| Full audit + WCAG AA report | 8-15 days | 500,000 - 800,000 |
| Priority fixes | 10-20 days | 600,000 - 1,500,000 |
| Annual follow-up + statement | recurring | 200,000 - 400,000 / year |
For an institutional site, conformance is often a tender prerequisite: lacking it means being excluded before the technical evaluation even starts. The investment is justified by both inclusion and access to public markets.
Mini case study
A government agency led by Mrs. Diop publishes a citizen-services portal. The audit reveals 41 WCAG issues, including contrasts at 2.8:1 (below the 4.5:1 threshold) and forms without labels.
With 15 % of the population potentially affected and traffic of 40,000 visitors/month, roughly 6,000 citizens/month hit obstacles. After a 600,000 FCFA audit and 1,100,000 FCFA of fixes, the portal reaches AA conformance and secures its accessibility statement — a condition for its next public contract.
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FAQ
Which standard should a public site in Senegal target?
The WCAG 2.1 level AA standard is the recognized international target, equivalent to France's RGAA. Level AA covers core needs without the heaviness of level AAA.
How much does an accessibility audit cost?
From 300,000 FCFA for a sample-based audit to 800,000 FCFA for a full audit with a detailed WCAG AA report and a prioritized remediation plan.
What share of the population is affected?
About 15 % live with some form of disability per international estimates, not counting temporary situations (a broken arm, a noisy environment, bright sunlight).
Does accessibility also help SEO?
Yes. Clean semantic structure, text alternatives and clear navigation are all positive signals for Google. Accessibility and SEO go hand in hand.
How long for full remediation?
Expect 3 to 6 weeks across audit, priority fixes and final verification, depending on site size and the complexity of the issues.
Let's talk about your project. We audit your institutional site's accessibility and hand you a costed WCAG AA remediation plan. 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.
