Simplifying cross-border transactions for businesses that power the global economy

As a product designer, I’ve always been driven by the challenge of simplifying complex financial processes. When I started working on this B2B cross-border payment platform, I saw firsthand how Nigerian and immigrant-owned businesses struggled with expensive, slow, and compliance-heavy payment systems. I wanted to design a solution that not only made global transactions seamless but also provided a frictionless way for businesses to fund their wallets in local currency. With a strong focus on KYC/KYB compliance, I helped create an intuitive, user-friendly platform that empowers businesses to operate beyond borders with confidence.

Global Payments Are Broken for Minority & Immigrant Businesses

The Asian and African diaspora still face high costs, slow speeds, and complex procedures for cross-border payments to/from North America and Europe.

70% of minority and immigrant-owned businesses face high fees and slow payment processing

‌$54B African remittances in 2023, yet remain slow, complex, and costly

In designing this B2B cross-border payment platform, I conducted extensive research to understand the pain points and needs of Nigerian and immigrant-owned businesses engaging in global transactions. Through user interviews, competitive analysis, and industry research, I uncovered key insights that shaped the product design.

Many businesses struggle with high fees and unfavourable exchange rates when making international payments. Traditional banking systems and third-party payment providers often include hidden charges, making it difficult for small businesses to scale efficiently.

Cross-border transactions through traditional financial institutions can take several days to process, causing delays in business operations. Businesses need a solution that ensures near-instant or same-day transactions to keep up with the fast-moving global economy.

Strict KYC/KYB regulations make it difficult for small businesses, especially those run by immigrants, to access cross-border payment services. Many users struggle with lengthy verification processes and unclear compliance requirements, leading to frustration and abandoned transactions.

Business owners are hesitant to trust new payment solutions due to past experiences with unreliable platforms, fraud, or unexpected restrictions. A well-designed, transparent, and intuitive product is crucial for building confidence and encouraging adoption.

By focusing on these insights, I helped create a product that not only solves real business challenges but also provides a seamless and trustworthy payment experience for global transactions.

The landing page provides users with essential information about the product. They can explore more about the product, get accurate currency rates, view testimonials, read blogs, and find answers to common questions.

The onboarding process was made seamless by ensuring that users can track their progress while filling out the form. Their inputs are automatically saved, allowing them to return and complete the form later if needed. Additionally, the onboarding process is categorised into different sections to help users understand the information they are required to provide.

The dashboard is where users land after signing up. Here, they can complete their onboarding, view the current exchange rates, fund their wallet, add a wallet, view transactions, and send money.

This "Send Money" screen on Settla allows users to transfer funds seamlessly. Users can select a saved beneficiary or add a new recipient, choose a wallet, enter the amount, and add a narration before confirming the transaction. The payout summary transparently displays the debit amount, transaction fee, and final amount the recipient receives. Additional features include a profile completion tracker and estimated delivery time (1 business day).

This "Wallets" screen on Settla lets users manage multiple currency wallets, convert funds, and make payouts. It displays balances in different currencies (CAD, USD, GBP, NGN) with options to add wallets or complete profile setup for a seamless transaction experience.

The outcome of this project is a fully designed and prototyped web and mobile app for Settla, a B2B cross-border payment platform. The product is live and operational, enabling Nigerian and immigrant-owned businesses to fund wallets in local currency, send seamless global payments, and stay compliant with KYC/KYB regulations. The platform features an intuitive dashboard, real-time currency rates, transparent transaction tracking, and a streamlined onboarding process, ensuring a frictionless and efficient payment experience.