The verdict in three sentences
Telemedicine does not succeed because of video, but because of pre-consultation mobile money payment: a patient who has already paid shows up. With a consultation billed at 3,000 to 10,000 FCFA, a digital prescription and low-bandwidth-optimized video, the booking-to-consultation conversion climbs to 85 %. The platform is built for 1,500,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA in 2026, excluding MoMo fees.
Payment, the cornerstone of the model
Without upfront payment, one patient in three does not connect at the agreed time. Mobile money pre-payment changes everything: the financial commitment locks the appointment. You also need to understand operator fees.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| GP consultation | 3,000-5,000 FCFA |
| Specialist consultation | 7,000-10,000 FCFA |
| MoMo fee (collection) | 1.0-1.8 % |
| Payout to doctor | 70-80 % |
| Platform share | 20-30 % |
| Booking→consult conversion (prepaid) | ~85 % |
| Booking→consult conversion (unpaid) | ~60 % |
Network constraints and patient journey
High-definition video is a trap in West Africa: on a 3G connection it drops. The right architecture switches automatically to audio and document sharing.
| Constraint | 2026 solution |
|---|---|
| Low bandwidth (3G) | Adaptive video + audio fallback |
| Mid-call drop | Auto reconnect, history kept |
| Prescription | Signed PDF sent via SMS/WhatsApp |
| Payment proof | Automatic MoMo receipt |
| Follow-up | Patient record, recheck reminder |
| Confidentiality | Code access, encryption |
Mini case study
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Dr Aisha, a GP in Dakar, opens 4 telemedicine slots/day at 4,000 FCFA. With MoMo pre-payment, 85 % of bookings turn into actual consultations, versus 60 % before. Over 20 bookings/week she moves from 12 to 17 completed consultations, i.e. +5 x 4,000 = 20,000 FCFA/week extra, ~80,000 FCFA/month, reaching patients outside Dakar she would never have seen in person.
FAQ
Does the patient need to install an app? No, modern telemedicine runs in the browser via a simple link. That is essential for adoption on phones with limited storage.
What happens if the video drops? The system switches to audio and keeps the history. The doctor can also resend a reconnect link without a new payment.
How are refunds handled if the doctor cancels? Mobile money refunds are automated: the patient gets the amount back, minus any operator fees of 1 to 1.8 %.
Is the digital prescription valid? It is sent as a signed PDF via SMS/WhatsApp and accepted by a growing number of pharmacies in 2026; we adapt the format to local requirements.
What budget should I plan? Allow 1,500,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA depending on options (specialties, patient records, lab/pharmacy integration).
Let's talk about your project. We build your telemedicine platform with mobile money payment and digital prescriptions. 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.
