The verdict in three sentences
A custom clinic management platform built nearshore costs between 9,000,000 and 22,000,000 FCFA (equivalent) in 2026, over a 5-to-9-month timeline. Two functions make all the difference against imported software: offline degraded mode (to keep running despite network cuts) and Mobile Money payment built into the cashier. Imported software is often cheaper to buy but ignores these field realities and bills you in foreign currency every year.
What custom clinic software costs nearshore
The budget depends on practitioner count, services (consultation, pharmacy, lab) and patient volume. 2026 orders of magnitude in FCFA equivalent.
| Item | Scope | 2026 range (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery & process | Workshops, patient journey | 800,000 - 1,800,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Front desk & patient record | Admission, history, documents | 3,000,000 - 7,000,000 | 8-12 weeks |
| Cashier & Mobile Money | Collection, MTN/Orange Money | 2,500,000 - 5,500,000 | 6-9 weeks |
| Offline degraded mode | Deferred sync, robustness | 1,500,000 - 3,500,000 | 4-7 weeks |
| Hosting & security | Server, backups, encryption | 800,000 - 2,000,000 / yr | ongoing |
| Maintenance | Fixes + evolutions | 200,000 - 500,000 / mo | ongoing |
A full project covering front desk, record, cashier and offline mode typically lands between 12,000,000 and 18,000,000 FCFA, first-year hosting included.
Nearshore custom vs imported software
Many clinics consider an imported solution. It looks modern, but adapting it to local realities (network, Mobile Money, language, support) is slow and costly.
| Criterion | Nearshore custom | Imported software | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 12,000,000 - 18,000,000 FCFA | license + setup in FX | Variable, often close |
| Recurring cost | 200,000 - 500,000 FCFA/mo | subscription in EUR/USD | Exposed to exchange rate |
| Native Mobile Money | Yes (MTN/Orange) | Rarely, via workarounds | Slower cashier otherwise |
| Offline mode | Built for outages | Assumes stable connection | Work stops otherwise |
| Local support | On site, same language | Distant timezone/language | Resolution delays |
| Process fit | Full | Rigid standard | Manual workarounds |
Nearshore custom often costs a similar order of magnitude to buy but stays controlled in FCFA and holds up despite network and payment constraints.
Mini case study
Dr. Amina Ngono runs a 5-practitioner clinic in Dublin, about 90 patients/day. Manual cashier and paper records create queues and an estimated 6% loss of collections (errors, untracked unpaid bills), about 7,200,000 FCFA/year on a 120,000,000 FCFA turnover. She invests 15,000,000 FCFA in custom software (7-month timeline) with Mobile Money cashier and offline mode. By securing collections and cutting losses to 2%, she recovers about 4,800,000 FCFA/year, plus 2 hrs/day saved at the front desk. Payback lands in about 3 years, with compliance and traceability secured immediately.
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FAQ
Is offline mode really necessary?
Yes, network outages are frequent. Software assuming a permanent connection blocks the front desk and cashier at every incident. Degraded mode lets you keep working and sync afterward.
Can we collect via Mobile Money directly in the software?
Yes, through MTN Mobile Money and Orange Money integration. The cashier generates the payment request and confirms automatically, reducing errors and speeding patient flow.
Why not buy a lesser-known imported product?
The purchase price may look close, but the FX subscription, lack of native Mobile Money and remote support raise operating costs. Nearshore custom stays controlled in FCFA.
What does 200,000-500,000 FCFA/month maintenance cover?
It includes fixes, backups, security updates and a buffer for evolutions. New modules (lab, advanced pharmacy) are quoted separately.
Can we start small and extend?
Yes. Starting with front desk + Mobile Money cashier (6,000,000 to 9,000,000 FCFA) ships in 4 months, then the full patient record follows in phase 2.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your practitioner count, services and patient volume for a real-scope estimate in FCFA. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
