Introduction
Graph began as an API-first cross-border payments infrastructure designed primarily for enterprise businesses. Over time, the platform matured, and our customer segments expanded rapidly, from large fintechs consuming our APIs to SMEs and B2B merchants using our web dashboard to send payments, manage multi-currency accounts, and run daily operations.
As we researched new markets and observed how SMEs operated across Africa, one insight became impossible to ignore: a web-only platform could not support true market penetration.
Most SMEs did not have a computer with them during day-to-day business operations. Their entire workflow, messaging suppliers, receiving invoices, checking balances, and approving payments, happened on their mobile phones.
This created a clear opportunity:
bring Graph to mobile and make the platform accessible from anywhere.
The result was Graph Mobile, mobile-first version of the platform designed for SMEs, B2B users, and even enterprise founders who preferred managing their business on the go.
My Role
independently led the end-to-end product and design direction for Graph Mobile, working across:
Product strategy
UX design and interaction design
Mobile UI design
Feature scoping and prioritisation
Cross-functional communication with engineering, brand, UI, CX, and marketing
Launch activities across App Store & Play Store
Why Graph Mobile?
Is this a real problem?
Our user research across multiple African markets surfaced four critical issues:
1. SMEs run their entire business on mobile
Most SMEs do not keep laptops in their shops or work environments.
Their transactions, approvals, and communication all happen on their phones.
2. A web-only platform created friction
Because Graph was only available on web, SMEs had to:
Borrow a computer
Wait until after hours
Delay tasks that should be instant
This slowed adoption and limited Graph’s ability to penetrate new markets.
3. New user segments → new product needs
Graph was no longer serving only enterprise fintechs.
SMEs needed a simpler, distilled experience — not the complex workflows built for enterprise.
4. Market expansion required mobile presence
In competitive markets, being available on mobile is not optional —
it signals credibility and accessibility.
Defining the Problem
Graph needed to evolve from a desktop-focused product into a mobile-first experience.
We needed to answer:
Which features matter most on mobile?
How do we simplify enterprise-grade tools for everyday operators?
What workflows must be rebuilt from scratch?
How do we create the fastest path to value for a first-time SME user?
The challenge was not to shrink the web app.
The challenge was to re-imagine Graph for the realities of these businesses.
The Solution
How we reimagined Graph for mobile-first markets
Graph Mobile was designed as a lightweight, intuitive companion to the web dashboard — not a direct copy.
We focused on simplicity, clarity, and speed, building around the three core jobs SMEs perform daily.
We built 3 core pillars:
Accounts: Managing funds anywhere
A streamlined accounts view that lets users:
See balances instantly
Switch between currencies
View deposit instructions
Track recent activity
Designed to support the SME’s reality:
“I need to check my balance in under 5 seconds.”
Cards: Manage virtual USD cards on the go
Users can:
Create and manage virtual cards
Freeze/unfreeze cards
View limits and transactions
Optimised for mobile gestures and fast task completion.
Transactions: Track and initiate payments effortlessly
A simplified transaction module:
Pay global suppliers
Review payment status
View transaction history
Filter by account or currency
UX Challenges & How We Solved Them
1. Deciding what belongs on mobile
We reduced the entire platform to its most essential value for SMEs:
Accounts
Cards
Transactions
Every other feature was intentionally excluded.
2. Adding sign-up to mobile
Originally, sign-up was planned only for web to reduce complexity.
But user research made it clear:
If SMEs cannot sign up in the app, adoption will fail.
We redesigned a mobile-friendly onboarding flow, fully compliant and intuitive.
3. Reshaping our thinking for SME users
We shifted from enterprise complexity to SME practicality:
“What is the smallest and clearest version of this workflow that still delivers value?”
This mindset became the backbone of the app’s usability.
Measuring Success
Graph Mobile launched on both iOS and Android — and the response validated the decision.
5,000+ downloads within the first 3 months
Adoption came not only from SMEs but surprisingly from enterprise founders as well.
Increased transaction volume
(Exact numbers confidential, but uplift was significant.)
Higher onboarding conversion
Mobile sign-up removed friction and opened a new channel for first-time users.
Greater engagement from SME segment
Mobile-first users became some of the most active transactors.
Graph Mobile showed that simplifying the experience didn’t reduce value it amplified it.