The verdict in three sentences
A clinic in Libreville can bring in the expertise of diaspora cardiologists and oncologists practising in France, or specialists in Dubai, without moving the patient. The full platform costs FCFA 12,000,000 to 28,000,000 (about EUR 18,300 to 42,700) depending on scope, with certified health data hosting in Europe (or DHA-compliant hosting when Dubai specialists are involved). Each avoided medical evacuation saves the patient FCFA 5,000,000 to 15,000,000, which makes the service easy to sell.
Platform modules and their cost
A remote specialist opinion follows a precise flow: the clinic's doctor builds the file, the specialist reviews the imaging, the teleconsultation takes place with the patient, the report goes back into the record. Each step maps to a module.
| Module | Function | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-time-zone scheduling | Slots for specialists in Paris, Lyon or Dubai, SMS reminders | FCFA 1.5M to 3M |
| Encrypted video | End-to-end video consultation, low-bandwidth 3G mode | FCFA 2M to 4.5M |
| DICOM imaging sharing | CT, MRI, ultrasound upload, in-browser viewer | FCFA 2.5M to 6M |
| Shared patient record | History, reports, prescriptions, consents | FCFA 2.5M to 5.5M |
| Payments | Airtel Money, Moov Money, card, diaspora bank transfer | FCFA 1.5M to 3.5M |
| Specialist area and billing | Fees, payouts in euros or dirhams, statistics | FCFA 1M to 3M |
| Patient mobile app | Appointment and results tracking | FCFA 1M to 2.5M |
A first version without the mobile app or automated billing fits within FCFA 12M to 15M in 4 months. The full version reaches FCFA 25M to 28M in 6 to 7 months. For comparison, a Dubai agency typically quotes AED 250,000 to 600,000 (about USD 68,000 to 163,000) for an equivalent build.
Hosting, compliance and recurring costs
Once specialists practising in France access the data, hosting must be HDS certified (French health data hosting standard) and GDPR compliant. In Dubai, the DHA telehealth standards and UAE health data law apply. On the Gabon side, the personal data protection law and its authority (APDPVP) require patient consent and a declaration of the processing.
| Recurring item | Monthly range 2026 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Certified hosting in Europe | FCFA 250,000 to 650,000 | Servers, backups, imaging storage |
| DICOM storage | FCFA 50,000 to 200,000 | About 2 TB a year for 1,500 files |
| Video service | FCFA 80,000 to 250,000 | Depending on minutes used |
| SMS and notifications | FCFA 30,000 to 90,000 | Appointment reminders |
| Maintenance and support | FCFA 300,000 to 700,000 | Fixes, security, minor updates |
| Telemedicine liability insurance | FCFA 80,000 to 250,000 | Check with the specialists' insurer |
Plan for FCFA 800,000 to 2,100,000 a month to operate. The most common business model charges the patient FCFA 150,000 to 350,000 per opinion, with 60 to 70% paid out to the specialist.
Mini case study
Dr Ndong, medical director of a 60-bed private clinic in Libreville, refers around forty patients a year to France for a cardiology or oncology opinion. He chooses a FCFA 18,000,000 platform, delivered in 5 months, with FCFA 1,200,000 in monthly running costs.
Conservative assumption: 25 opinions a month billed at FCFA 250,000, the clinic keeping 35%, i.e. FCFA 87,500 per opinion and FCFA 2,187,500 monthly margin. After FCFA 1,200,000 of recurring costs, nearly FCFA 990,000 remains each month: the investment pays back in about 18 months, not counting follow-up tests performed on site. If only 10 patients a year avoid a FCFA 9,000,000 evacuation, families save FCFA 90,000,000.
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FAQ
Can a doctor based in France or Dubai give an opinion to a Gabonese patient?
Doctor-to-doctor expert advice (tele-expertise) is the simplest form: the specialist advises the clinic's doctor, who remains responsible for the patient. This setup covers most of the 25 to 40 monthly opinions of a mid-sized clinic.
Does video work on a 3G connection?
Yes, with audio-first mode and adaptive video from 300 to 500 kbit/s. Imaging is uploaded before the session, so bandwidth is not saturated during the consultation.
Why host in Europe rather than in Gabon?
Specialists in France are bound by the HDS requirement, which few African hosts hold in 2026. An encrypted copy can stay in Libreville for continuity, for FCFA 100,000 to 250,000 a month.
How many specialists are needed to start?
Four to six specialists committing 2 to 4 hours a week are enough for 25 opinions a month. The platform manages their slots and payouts in euros.
How does the patient pay?
Through Airtel Money or Moov Money in Gabon, or by card and bank transfer when a relative in the diaspora pays from Europe or the Gulf. Online payment cuts unpaid bills, often 15 to 20% with traditional front-desk collection.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your specialties, target volume of opinions and hosting constraints: we price a first version between FCFA 12,000,000 and 15,000,000, deliverable in 4 months. 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.
