Dakar architect: why the digital portfolio changes the game in 2026
The DPLG architect trade in Dakar remains largely informal in its commercialization. Of 240 architects registered with the National Order of Architects of Senegal, 80% get missions through word of mouth (family/network recommendations) or direct outreach (visits to developers). Few have a real portfolio site, and even fewer have a structured digital acquisition strategy.
Yet the market has expanded: the diaspora represents 25-40% of individual house clients in Dakar and Saly, real estate developers need architects for their VEFA programs (cf. batch Y2), NGOs and international institutions award architectural study contracts. These are prospects searching online and not finding.
Architectures Diakhaté & Associés firm, founded in 2014 in Almadies, contacted me in April 2024 signing 5 projects per year (4 individual villas + 1 minor VEFA mission). Fourteen months later, the firm signs 18 projects/year (×3.6), with revenue multiplied by 4.8. Here is the mechanism.
H2: The premium portfolio site — image before functionality
For an architecture firm, the site is first a visual object. The prospect evaluates the site's aesthetics as indirect proof of the firm's architectural quality. An ugly or dated site = dated firm. A magnificent site = firm capable of creating beautiful things.
The new Architectures Diakhaté & Associés site is designed as a reference portfolio with 4 key sections.
Cinematic home page. 35-second full-screen video (drone + interior of 3 villas delivered in 2024-2025), firm name and tagline "Architectes DPLG, Dakar — Author houses since 2014", direct link to portfolio.
Project portfolio. 22 referenced projects (villas, buildings, commercial spaces, institutional) with each: 12-25 high-res photos (interior + exterior + details), annotated architect plan, 600-900 word editorial description telling the project genesis, architectural intentions, challenges overcome, before/after photos for renovations, signed client testimonial.
Approach / philosophy page. 800-word manifesto on the firm's philosophy (relation to the Sahelian climate, dialogue with local materials, integration of the Dakar urban context). This page is read by 70% of prospects and plays a decisive role in the decision to contact.
Team page. Profiles of the 3 main architects (CV, training, publications, awards) + 5 collaborators (draftsmen, engineers, landscaper). This page reassures on firm solidity.
Site development cost 5.8 million FCFA (Next.js + Sanity headless CMS + photo/video production). Maintenance 150 KFCFA/month.
H2: The founder LinkedIn strategy
DPLG architect Mamadou Diakhaté (the founder) turned his LinkedIn into an acquisition machine. 3 posts per week covering 4 rotating themes:
- Project behind-the-scenes (an ongoing project shown week after week, sketches, drafts, site photos)
- Architectural analyses (critical study of a remarkable Dakar building, old or contemporary)
- Diaspora advice (how to build in Senegal from abroad, mistakes to avoid, realistic budgets)
- Reflections on contemporary African architecture (local materials, traditional know-how, climate sustainability)
LinkedIn audience grew from 1,800 to 24,000 followers in 14 months. These posts generate on average 8,200 views each, 240 reactions, 18 comments. More importantly: 38% of new signed contracts come directly from LinkedIn (prospect reads content, asks to be introduced, makes contact).
H2: The diaspora WhatsApp funnel
35% of projects signed by the firm are commissioned by diaspora (Paris, Brussels, Geneva, Montreal, New York) building their retirement house or rental investment in Dakar, Saly or Casamance. For these clients, the commercial funnel must be designed for distance.
Step 1: First WhatsApp contact. Architect reply within 12 hours (accounting for time zones). Send portfolio PDF in high-res + 3 diaspora client references with their consent to be contacted.
Step 2: 45-min discovery Zoom. Architect presents their approach, listens to needs, constraints, budget. Mutual evaluation. At the end, feasibility mission quote (300-800 KFCFA flat) if the project seems relevant.
Step 3: Feasibility mission. Site visit by a firm assistant architect (with diaspora proxy if needed), surveys, urban planning constraints, preliminary sketches. Report delivered 3-4 weeks later. If the client agrees, move to full mission.
Step 4: Complete architectural mission. Preliminary project, final project, permit file, site supervision. Standard fees: 8-14% of works cost by complexity. For a 180 million FCFA villa, fees 14-25 million FCFA.
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Step 5: Remote site supervision. Monthly reports with drone photos + videos + written summaries sent to the diaspora client. Online client space with access to plans, contractor quotes, invoices, work situations.
Of the 18 projects signed in 14 months, 7 come from diaspora who visited Dakar only once during the project (foundation stone).
H2: Complementary acquisition — Meta Ads + Order Referencing
Meta Ads. 280,000 FCFA / month targeting Senegalese diaspora in France/Belgium/USA/Canada with "house construction", "Senegal real estate investment", "return home" interests. WhatsApp lead acquisition cost: 18 EUR. Lead to project signing conversion: 14%. Cost per signed project: 128 EUR for an 18 KEUR fees project. Massive ROI.
Architect Order referencing. Updated firm sheet on ONAS (National Order of Architects of Senegal) site with link to portfolio site. Brings 8% of traffic but very high-quality leads (institutional clients, NGOs, ministries).
Long-term SEO. 14 articles published over 14 months on long-tail queries: "Dakar house architect price", "Saly villa build architect", "Plateau apartment renovation architect", "Senegal architect fees", "build in Senegal from France diaspora". 8 articles on Google page one within 8-12 months.
H2: Pricing and investments to structure architecture firm communication
| Item | Upfront | Monthly recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Premium portfolio site (Next.js + Sanity) | 4,500,000 to 8,500,000 FCFA | 150,000 FCFA |
| Pro project photos (22 projects × 1 day) | 4,500,000 to 8,000,000 FCFA | — |
| Drone + interior videos (5 hero videos) | 1,800,000 to 3,200,000 FCFA | — |
| Brand book + visual identity | 1,800,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA | — |
| LinkedIn production (12 posts/month + carousels) | — | 350,000 to 600,000 FCFA |
| SEO editorial production (1-2 articles/month) | — | 200,000 to 400,000 FCFA |
| Diaspora Meta Ads | — | 280,000 to 500,000 FCFA |
| Client space (site supervision) | 1,800,000 FCFA | 80,000 FCFA |
| Monthly site photo + video (per active project) | — | 80,000 FCFA per project |
Upfront investment: 14.4 to 25 million FCFA. Monthly recurring: 1.1 to 1.8 million FCFA. For a firm moving from 5 to 18 projects/year with average 14 million FCFA fees, additional annual revenue = 182 million FCFA. Obvious ROI from year 1.
FAQ
What does a DPLG architect cost in Dakar in 2026?
Standard fees: complete mission (sketches + APS + APD + permit + DCE + site supervision) = 8-14% of works cost by complexity. Partial mission (just building permit) = 3-5%. Simple sketches mission = 800 KFCFA-2 M FCFA flat. For a 150 M FCFA villa, complete fees 13-21 M FCFA.
How long to finalize a Dakar building permit?
Legal cycle 90 days after complete submission, in practice 3-6 months by municipality and complexity. File prep by architect: 6-12 weeks (sketches + APD + descriptions + regulatory plans + technical studies). Total between 5 and 10 months between order and obtained permit.
What percentage of diaspora entrust projects to architects rather than building direct?
In 2026 about 35-45% of diaspora building in Dakar/Saly use an architect (vs 80% in France). Strong growth margin. Diaspora not using an architect experience significantly more problems (25-40% cost overruns, defects, contractor conflicts).
How to find good technical sub-contractors (BET, geotechnical, fluids)?
A serious Dakar architecture firm works with a network of 6-12 partner BETs (technical study office): structural engineer, fluids engineer, geotechnician, landscaper, kitchen designer, smart home electrician. Architectures Diakhaté & Associés built this network over 10 years.
Which local materials to favor in Senegal in 2026?
Strong 2025-2026 trend: local terracotta (compressed bricks, BTC), Diamniadio stone, reconstituted wood, bamboo (growing), low-carbon concrete, hemp/rice husk insulation. These materials bring a strong architectural signature and climate performance superior to standard imported materials.
Let's talk about your case
If you run an architecture firm in Dakar and your signatures plateau below 8 projects/year, we can design the portfolio site, founder LinkedIn strategy and diaspora funnel. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33 or request a quote at /en/free-quote.
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.