The Problem
Despite a growing need for digital payments and remittance services, users in these markets faced major challenges:
- Fragmented or outdated money transfer options
- High remittance fees
- Poor user experience with existing apps
- Low trust due to inconsistent security on local platforms
- Limited access to cross-border payments
- No unified solution serving both African and European users
Sao needed to solve this by delivering a fast, reliable, secure, and culturally adapted mobile money app.
Project Goals
✔ Enable fast, low-cost money transfers
- Local + international (web & mobile).
✔ Build a secure digital wallet ecosystem
- Balance management, transaction logs, PIN/biometric security.
✔ Support financial inclusion
- Enable users with basic smartphones or low digital literacy to transact easily.
✔ Enable cross-border operations
- Smooth transactions between São Tomé, Portugal, and Liberia.
✔ Deliver a modern fintech experience
- Clean UI, multi-language support (Portuguese, English).
Key Features Designed
1. Secure Digital Wallet
- Onboarding/Secure setup
- Add/withdraw via agents or bank
- Real-time balance change
- Transaction history
- Exportable receipts
- 4–6 digit security PIN
- Multi-layer encryption indicators
Splash
Register
Sign Up
OTP
Create PIN
Log In
OTP
PIN
Home
Withdrawal
Transaction History
Transaction Details
2. Money Transfer (Local & International)
- Send to SAO wallet
- Send to bank
- Send to mobile money (where available)
- Low-friction recipient selection
- QR Code transfers
Send Money
Account Verifying
Payment Confirmation
QR Code Scan
Wallet
3. Cash-In / Cash-Out Agent Network
- Walk in agents
- ID and QR code account scan details
- Account Balance
Send Money
Receive Money
Account Details
QR Code Scan
Impact & Results
🌍 Multi-country adoption
App successfully deployed in São Tomé, Portugal, and Liberia, serving both local and diaspora communities.
🚀 High user conversion
Streamlined onboarding significantly reduced the drop-off rate during sign-up.
💳 Successful cross-border transactions
Users could easily send money between Africa and Europe using a single app.
🔐 Improved user trust
Modern UI + strong security flows increased confidence in mobile money usage.
📲 Designed for low-end devices
Lightweight screens ensured fast performance even on older smartphones.
