In 2022, a simple question sparked an ambitious vision: why can't payments in Africa be as seamless as they are elsewhere in the world? While mobile money had already transformed African finance, we saw an opportunity to push the boundary further. No more fumbling with transfer codes or carrying multiple cards – just the device in your pocket and the ability to pay instantly.

The challenge was clear: create Africa's answer to Apple Pay, but designed specifically for the unique needs and context of the African market. This meant rethinking the technology and the entire payment experience from the ground up.

Our design process started with a fundamental shift in thinking about African payments. Instead of adapting existing solutions, we envisioned a fresh approach centered around two simple actions: scan to pay and tap to pay. Using Figma, we crafted Africa's first tap-to-pay solution that would work across iOS and Android platforms.

We embraced Design Thinking principles throughout our process, putting user research at the forefront of our decision-making. This commitment to understanding user needs led to a 30% improvement in customer satisfaction scores – a testament to our user-centered approach.

Through iterative design and Agile sprints, we expanded beyond just payments. We saw an opportunity to create a lifestyle ecosystem, partnering with restaurants and event venues to make Karla part of users' daily lives. Each sprint brought new insights and opportunities to refine the experience.

Within 90 days of launch, Karla transformed from a concept into a thriving payment ecosystem:

More than 200 daily active users embraced the platform across iOS and Android

Generated $20,000+ in transaction volume, proving the market's readiness for contactless payments

Launched a successful lifestyle partnership program, bringing in $3,000 in monthly recurring revenue

Onboarded 10+ restaurant and event venue partners, creating a diverse payment ecosystem

Achieved consistent 40% month-over-month user growth

Secured a $50,000 marketing grant by positioning Karla as the 'Apple Pay for Africa'

But the numbers only tell part of the story. The real success lies in how Karla is changing payment behaviors across Africa. From quick restaurant purchases to event ticket payments, we're making contactless transactions a natural part of daily life. Our commitment to user research and continuous improvement has created not just a payment solution, but a new way of thinking about African fintech – one tap at a time.