‎‎Why it is important that your website and apps are mobile optimized when building for an African Market

‎In Africa, the phone is more than a gadget — it’s survival, hustle, and connection. Laptops are expensive, electricity is unreliable, and access is uneven. But with a phone in hand, Africans study, pay bills, build businesses, design, create, and even dream bigger. That’s why Africa isn’t just mobile-first, it’s mobile-only for millions. ‎ ‎So, we asked 5 Africans to share the times they’ve done things on their phones that most people would expect to be done on a computer. Their stories say it all. ‎ ‎1. Oyili ‎ ‎I typed my entire final year project using my phone. I actually had a laptop, but it was hanging and some buttons were not working. I just gave up on it and decided to use my phone. It was hectic, but I had to do it to graduate as a law student. I used Google docs, so the typesetting wasn't so hard with. ‎ ‎2. Candice ‎ ‎Living in Uganda and Kenya, I use mobile money to pay for EVERYTHING. I pay utilities, staff, medical bills, grocery, uber drivers etc all with a few presses on my phone. Which by the way, you don't need a smart phone for. You can buy a $15 phone and access the same functions. Currently in Spain for work and bought electricity units for my neighbour back in Uganda, using my Ugandan mobile money :) ‎ ‎3. Chinwe ‎ ‎I'll like to start with phones/mobile are more accessible especially in Nigeria. ‎So most people have phones. Personally I do have a laptop but it's not one I can easily carry around (because of weight) so most times when I'm out and about I use my phone. I work online so that increases my phone usage. Some scenarios: ‎ ‎1. I use Canva on my phone, Canva would be so much better on a desktop but I just don't want to open a laptop for just a simple design especially if I have the app on my phone. This is countless times where I design on my phone. Handling documents, emails, etc. ‎ ‎ ‎2. Posting as well, I do that from a phone. The only time I use a laptop is if certain features aren't available on mobile. ‎ ‎ ‎3. Watching a movie — most movies I watch are on mobile. I never use any other device (apart from a TV) to watch a movie. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎4. Emem ‎ ‎I learnt digital marketing with only my phone. I even got to miss a particular course (SEO) because it could not be learned with a phone. Now, I have a laptop, but it was painful especially because the person who was coaching us then was a master and well respected person in the field of marketing and because I lacked a laptop, I will never get that same opportunity again. ‎ ‎5. Tim ‎ ‎I will forever be grateful to apps like Canva and Pixellab, because that was where I started my design journey. Omo, I remember when people were insulting those apps, but today as an established designer, my success may not have been possible without them. I think every app and website should have a mobile optimized version. Maybe a few features that can be only accessed on a laptop, but let people have access via their phones because for many Africans, laptops are not very accessible. ‎ ‎ ‎The stories above prove it: Africa is mobile-first. If your website or app can’t live and breathe on a phone, then it’s not ready for this market. ‎ ‎That’s why Xpression Collective exists — to design and build digital products that are mobile-optimized and culturally rich. From strategy to design, we make sure your brand isn’t just online, but alive in the palm of your audience’s hand.