The verdict in three sentences
When a single radiologist reads for five imaging centres in Dakar, travel and USB sticks set the report turnaround, often 48 hours. A custom teleradiology platform, at 20 to 50 million FCFA excl. VAT in 2026 (about EUR 30,000 to 76,000), transfers DICOM images, runs a reading queue and brings turnaround down to 6 hours. The non-negotiable condition is health data hosting compliant with Law 2008-12 and declared to the CDP, Senegal's data protection authority.
Architecture and costs, component by component
The platform connects each site's modalities (CT, MRI, digital X-ray, ultrasound) to a central server where the radiologist reads and signs. The amounts below are 2026 estimates for a 5-site network in Dakar and its suburbs.
| Component | Role | Indicative budget excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| DICOM gateways at each site | Automatic study upload, lossless compression, resume after outages | 3 to 7 million FCFA |
| Central PACS and storage | Image archive, 5 to 10 years retention | 5 to 12 million FCFA |
| Diagnostic web viewer | Reading, windowing, measurements, prior comparison | 3 to 8 million FCFA |
| Reading queue | Priorities (emergency, inpatient, outpatient), assignment, turnaround | 2 to 6 million FCFA |
| Reporting and e-signature | Templates per exam, dictation, signature, delivery to referrer | 3 to 8 million FCFA |
| Security and compliance | Encryption, strong authentication, access log, CDP filing | 2 to 5 million FCFA |
| Patient and referrer portal | Results via secure link or SMS | 2 to 4 million FCFA |
| Total | 20 to 50 million FCFA |
Recurring costs: hosting and backup at 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per month depending on image volume (a CT scanner produces 200 MB to 1 GB per study), fibre links of 100 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s per site, and maintenance at 15 to 20% of project cost per year.
Data security: what Senegalese law requires
Images and reports are health data, a sensitive category under Law 2008-12 on personal data protection. Processing must be filed with the Commission de protection des Données Personnelles (CDP), and transfers outside Senegal are regulated.
| Hosting option | Monthly cost (estimate) | Compliance | Watch points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server in the main clinic | 150,000 to 300,000 FCFA (depreciation, power) | Good if secured | Power cuts, off-site backup mandatory |
| Datacentre in Dakar or Diamniadio | 400,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA | Very good | Service level agreement to negotiate |
| International cloud | 300,000 to 900,000 FCFA | Transfer to be framed and declared | CDP opinion required before go-live |
| Hybrid: local + replication in Senegal | 500,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA | Excellent | More complex architecture |
The most robust set-up for Dakar is hybrid: a local cache in each centre to keep working during outages, and primary storage in a datacentre in Senegal.
Operational gains
| Indicator | Before | After (realistic target) |
|---|---|---|
| Average report turnaround | 48 hours | 6 hours |
| Radiologist trips per week | 8 to 10 | 1 to 2 |
| Studies read per day | 45 to 55 | 60 to 70 |
| Lost or re-typed reports | 3 to 5% | Under 0.5% |
| Turnaround for an urgent study | 4 to 12 hours | Under one hour |
Mini case study
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Dr Fatou Ndiaye, medical director of a network of 5 imaging centres in Dakar, works with a radiologist who spends nearly 12 hours a week on the road. The chosen platform costs 35 million FCFA excl. VAT, plus 700,000 FCFA per month of hosting. Freed from travel, the radiologist reads 6 more studies a day. With a net margin of about 25,000 FCFA per study and 24 working days, the gain reaches 3.6 million FCFA per month, or 2.9 million after hosting. The project pays back in about 12 months, before counting referrers retained by a 6-hour turnaround.
FAQ
How much does a teleradiology platform cost in Dakar in 2026?
Budget 20 to 50 million FCFA excl. VAT depending on the number of sites, image volume and migration of the existing archive. Recurring costs range from 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA per month.
Is CDP authorisation required?
Yes, processing health data must be declared to or authorised by the CDP under Law 2008-12. Allow 1 to 3 months for the procedure, run in parallel with development.
What internet bandwidth does each site need?
At least 50 to 100 Mbit/s symmetric for a site with a CT scanner. Lossless compression cuts volume by 2 to 3 times without affecting diagnosis.
Can a radiologist abroad read the studies?
Technically yes, but transferring data outside Senegal must be framed and declared. The radiologist must also be authorised to practise under the medical council's rules.
How long until go-live?
Usually 4 to 6 months: 2 months to build the core, then a site-by-site rollout of 2 to 3 weeks each.
Let's scope your project. We design the architecture, compliant hosting and rollout across your centres for an indicative budget of 20 to 50 million FCFA excl. VAT. 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.
