The verdict in three sentences
Custom management software for a private clinic costs, in 2026, between 9,000,000 and 20,000,000 FCFA, depending on the number of modules and services. The decisive line items are the electronic patient record (around 3,000,000 FCFA), pharmacy/stock management (2,500,000 FCFA) and insurance billing that governs your cash flow. One non-negotiable point in this market: offline mode, essential in areas with unstable connectivity so the cashier and record keep working.
Price grid by module
A clinic combines care, cashier and internal pharmacy. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for local or regional custom development.
| Module | 2026 range (FCFA) | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic patient record | 2,500,000 - 4,000,000 | High |
| Cashier + patient billing | 2,000,000 - 3,500,000 | High |
| Internal pharmacy / stock | 2,000,000 - 3,500,000 | High |
| Insurance / mutual billing | 2,500,000 - 4,000,000 | High |
| Booking + practitioner calendar | 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 | Medium |
| Offline mode + synchronisation | 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 | High |
| Management dashboards | 1,000,000 - 2,000,000 | Low |
A priority core (record + cashier + pharmacy + insurance) starts around 9,000,000 FCFA. Adding booking, robust offline and reporting reaches 18,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA. Overall timeline is 5 to 7 months, with a first module (cashier or pharmacy) operational within 6 to 8 weeks.
Why offline mode is critical
A clinic cannot stop because the internet is down. Well-designed software works locally then syncs as soon as the connection returns. Here is the gap between pure cloud and offline-first.
| Criterion | Pure cloud | Offline-first |
|---|---|---|
| Works without internet | Blocked | Continuous |
| Cashier during outage | Down | Operational |
| Data synchronisation | Real-time only | Automatic deferred |
| Additional cost | 0 | 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 FCFA |
| Lost-sale risk | High | Low |
| Fit for the market | No | Yes |
The offline surcharge (1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA) pays off from the first avoided outage: a clinic taking 400,000 FCFA/day cannot afford a stalled cashier.
Insurance billing and internal pharmacy
A significant share of revenue flows through insurers and mutuals. An insurance-billing module (2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA) generates claim slips, tracks reimbursements and cuts unpaid amounts. The internal pharmacy is a profit centre to steer: batch management, expiry and stock-out alerts, inventory valuation. Budget annual maintenance of 15 to 20 % of development.
Mini case study
Dr Kouassi runs a 30-bed private clinic. Its internal pharmacy loses about 3 % of stock per year to undetected expiries, on an average stock of 25,000,000 FCFA, i.e. 750,000 FCFA/year in losses. Manual insurance billing also generates 1,500,000 FCFA/year in unpaid claims for lack of chasing.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Custom software at 14,000,000 FCFA (record + cashier + pharmacy + insurance + offline) cuts expiry losses by 70 % (525,000 FCFA/year) and halves unpaid claims (750,000 FCFA/year), recovering 1,275,000 FCFA/year. Added to saved admin time, operational payback on these items alone lands around 7 to 8 years, but far faster once you add billing gains and cashier reliability.
FAQ
Is offline mode really essential?
Yes, wherever your area suffers internet or power cuts. For 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA, your cashier and records stay operational and sync automatically when the network returns.
How much does the insurance-billing module cost?
Between 2,500,000 and 4,000,000 FCFA. It generates claim slips, tracks mutual reimbursements and automates chasing, with a direct impact on your cash flow.
Can the software be paid in instalments?
Yes, milestone payment (deposit, delivery of each module, final acceptance) is common. It smooths cash flow and aligns payment with actual module delivery.
Does it manage the internal pharmacy?
Yes, with batch management, expiry and stock-out alerts, and inventory valuation. This module sharply cuts losses and turns the pharmacy into a controlled profit centre.
How long until the clinic is equipped?
Between 5 and 7 months for the full scope. A priority module like the cashier or pharmacy can be live within 6 to 8 weeks for a quick start.
Let's scope your project. Share your bed count, priority modules (record, pharmacy, insurance, offline) and budget, and we'll frame the scope and the offline mode suited to your area. 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.
