Startups often succeed by focusing on users, and in Africa’s fast-growing tech scene, UI/UX designers are key. These talented designers are shaping the digital experiences of millions across the continent. Here are eight UI/UX designers making a big impact on African startups:
1. Samuel Allotey (Ghana)
Samuel Allotey is a Founder, Product Designer, and Framer Developer with over 7 years of experience in creating impactful digital solutions. His career, marked by significant achievements in digital innovation, spans various sectors, including government, media, and technology.
At ADPList, he was instrumental in scaling the platform to connect thousands of mentors and mentees globally, contributing to a successful $1.3 million funding round. At StubHub, he developed a design system that improved product development efficiency. Additionally, he co-founded thedsgnjunkies, a thriving African design community, and has actively mentored designers, contributing over 1,000 minutes of guidance through ADPList.
2. Oluwagbemiga Joshua (Nigeria)
Oluwagbemiga Joshua is a designer based in Lagos, Nigeria, who specializes in animation, UI/Visual design, and product design. He is currently the Principal Product designer with Synthesia and holds a degree from Bowen University in Iwo, Nigeria. Currently, he is based in London. During his time working at Intelia, he developed a content management system that allows users to create visually appealing content and effectively distribute and track its engagement online. The project was enjoyable and challenging, particularly due to the need to build a comprehensive design system for the product.
3. Bolaji Akangbe (Nigeria)
Bolaji Akangbe is a Product Designer and Webflow Developer known for creating intuitive user interfaces and providing seamless user experiences. He is recognized for being responsible, creative, and professional in his work.
His involvement in projects like the Accra Lawtech Hangout showcases his skills in both UX research and UI design, contributing to transformative product design. Additionally, his role as a Product Designer for Help Me Settle, Pamital, Tech Estate, and Legaltech Lounge indicates an emphasis on innovative design techniques that enhance aesthetic appeal and usability.
4. John Doddy (Kenya)
John is a skilled Product Designer from Kenya, recognized for his expertise in human-centered design and the end-to-end design process. Currently serving as the Senior Product Designer at Lori, he has experience across diverse sectors, including financial technology, talent development, and education management, and aims to utilize technology and user-centered design to create impactful products and experiences. his experience as a
Product Design Lead for Interswitch Kenya has been a journey of leadership, innovation, and commitment to user-centered design.
5. Kweku Bennin (South Africa)
Kweku Bennin is a digital designer with experience in creating concepts for brands online, specializing in user interface (UI) design for mobile and web platforms. He has a background in crafting beautiful, intuitive, and functional user experiences.
His professional career includes roles at Bold Creative as Lead Integrated Designer, the National Theatre as Digital Designer, and freelance work for a diverse range of clients, including corporate and cultural organizations. Since August 2017, he has been employed at Zoopla, where he collaborated with stakeholders to develop product UI and interactions from concept to execution. He currently works with xneelo (Pty) Ltd, initially as the Senior UI Designer and now as the Lead UI Designer.
6. Rowland Anafu (Ghana)
Rowland Anafu is a product designer with extensive experience in creating intuitive and impactful user experiences, specializing in UI/UX design for mobile and web platforms. His expertise lies in blending functionality with aesthetics to design seamless digital products.
Rowland’s professional journey includes a key role as a UI/UX Designer at ALEXpay, where he contributed significantly to the design of a revolutionary mobile money platform.
7. Sharon Wangari ( (Kenya)
Sharon Wangari is a Product Designer and Design Researcher based in Nairobi, Kenya. With over 8 years of experience, she has worked across Eastern and Southern Africa. Sharon Wangari is a Product Design Lead at Paystack. Her recent focus has been in Fintech, developing tools to manage cash movement and liquidity.
Previously, she worked with Sendy Ltd as a Senior UX Designer & UX Chapter Lead creating products that provided retailers with affordable products and access to credit facilities, enhancing their purchasing power. She has developed her design skills over several years, contributing to various sectors including humanitarian aid, education, and social impact projects. Her work addresses important issues in these areas, highlighting the influence of design on societal challenges.
8. Hadeel Ahmed Mohyi (Egypt)
Hadeel Ahmed Mohyi is a seasoned Product Designer with extensive experience in the IT and services industry. She specializes in designing websites, web applications, and mobile apps. With a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Product Design, she brings a strong technical background to her work, delivering innovative and user-focused design solutions. Her design contributions have aimed to enhance various projects, demonstrating her proficiency in merging design with critical healthcare needs. She currently works with Intercom Enterprises where she is the Product Designer Lead
These designers have been instrumental in shaping the UI/UX landscape for African startups, making digital products more accessible and tailored to user needs. Their work continues to influence how startups approach design, driving innovation across the continent.
