About The Project

This challenge was to design a cross-border feature for M-PESA, enabling seamless transactions between chosen markets. The mission? To create a solution that connects countries and makes international payments as effortless as local ones.

Date

Role

Product Designer, UI UX Designer

It was back in 2023, and working for our company was like being part of the most diverse team I had ever encountered. As a consortium of big multinational giants—Safaricom, Vodacom, Vodafone, Sumitomo—you could say we had most of the continents covered! 🌍 With employees from 17 countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Japan, DRC, Ghana, and the UK, it was truly a melting pot. Our intercompany ties stretched across Safaricom, Vodacom, Vodafone, and of course, M-PESA Africa—a leading African fintech company, founded in 2017.

Back to the story, though. It was a day that now feels like a blur, mostly because it was during the intense period right after M-PESA's launch. There were intercompany visits galore. Earlier that month, M-PESA Africa’s CEO, Sitoyo Lipokiyot, had come to our HQ2 to check on the launch, and during a town hall, he shared his inspiring vision for M-PESA’s future. His words stayed with me, making me feel more connected to the brand—like M-PESA was truly running in my veins.

Now, there was this British guy who visited us frequently for work. We’d often throw jokes around, but one day, we found ourselves having a serious conversation about M-PESA Africa and how the intercompany dynamic worked. Out of curiosity, I asked him, “By the way, where does M-PESA Africa post job openings?” He replied, “Isn’t it on their LinkedIn page?” I shook my head, “I don’t think so—I’ve never seen one.” He raised his eyebrows, “Really? Okay, let me check.” He pulled out his phone, searched for a bit, and then said, “I’ve messaged one of their HR reps. I’ll let you know once she responds.”

A little while later, he told me, “They said jobs are usually posted on Vodacom’s or Safaricom Kenya’s pages.” I nodded, “Got it, thanks!” That night, I went on a bit of a job-hunting spree, and one role on Vodacom’s website caught my eye: "UI/UX Designer." It was a perfect match! The deadline was that same day, so without blinking, I updated my resume and applied.

The next day, I told the British guy about it, and he said, “Let me ask around who’s responsible for that role. If I connect you with someone, can you quantify and list your achievements here?” I quickly responded, “Absolutely!”

Fast forward two months—I had almost forgotten about the application when, out of nowhere, a recruiter from Vodacom reached out. They invited me to take on a challenge as part of the hiring process. After slashing through the interviews and moving swiftly through each stage, I was well on my way. While the rest of the hiring story stays underground, here’s Part 1 of the challenge that got things rolling.