The verdict in three sentences
Telemedicine paid via mobile money turns a missed call into a billed consultation of 3,000 to 15,000 FCFA, while reaching patients at times or distances impossible in person. The crux is not the video — it is the payment at booking time and the electronic prescription that make the act complete and profitable. The 2026 launch budget sits between 1,000,000 and 3,500,000 FCFA depending on the level of integration.
The telemedicine business model
A video consultation only has value if it is paid and followed by a usable prescription. Here are the prices and margins, 2026 order of magnitude.
| Consultation type | Patient price FCFA | MM fee (1.5 %) | Net to practitioner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick advice (10 min) | 3,000 | 45 | ~2,955 |
| GP consultation | 7,000 | 105 | ~6,895 |
| Specialist consultation | 12,000 | 180 | ~11,820 |
| Detailed second opinion | 15,000 | 225 | ~14,775 |
| Monthly chronic follow-up | 5,000 | 75 | ~4,925 |
Payment collected before the video eliminates unpaid bills and pushes the consultation completion rate above 90 %.
Infrastructure costs and compliance
Launching a telemedicine platform requires reliable video, secure storage and integrated payment. Here are the items, 2026 order of magnitude.
| Item | Role | 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Platform development | Video + booking + payment | 1,000,000 - 3,500,000 FCFA |
| Real-time video | Consultation minutes | ~5 - 15 FCFA / minute |
| Electronic prescription | Generation, signature | included in dev |
| Secure hosting | Health data storage | 25,000 - 75,000 /month |
| Mobile money fees | Collection | 1 - 1.5 % / transaction |
| Data compliance | Senegal law 2008-12 | one-off audit |
Access to rural areas is the real differentiator: a patient 200 km from a specialist can consult and receive their prescription without travelling.
Mini case study
Ibrahim, a GP in Dakar, launches a telemedicine offer at 7,000 FCFA per act. With 8 video consultations a day over 22 days, he performs 176 consultations a month, i.e. 1,232,000 FCFA in revenue, of which about 18,500 FCFA in mobile money fees. His platform cost 1,800,000 FCFA: it pays back in under two months of consultations, and he reaches a rural patient base he would never have seen in the office.
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FAQ
How does the patient pay for their telemedicine visit?
Via Wave or Orange Money at booking time, with fees of around 1 to 1.5 %. Advance payment eliminates unpaid bills and makes the schedule reliable.
Is the electronic prescription valid?
Yes, it is generated and digitally signed, then sent to the patient or directly to a partner pharmacy, which speeds up dispensing.
What does the video cost?
Allow an order of magnitude of 5 to 15 FCFA per consultation minute depending on the provider, a marginal item against the price of the act.
Does telemedicine reach rural areas?
Yes, this is its main strength: a distant patient consults a specialist without travelling, which can raise the rural patient base by 30 %.
Is health data protected?
Yes, secure hosting, encryption and access traceability are required; in Senegal, law 2008-12 governs the processing of such data.
Let's talk about your project. We build your telemedicine platform with video, electronic prescription and integrated mobile money payment. 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.
