We’ve all been there, you’re in the middle of cooking dinner, you turn on the gas, and… nothing. Empty cylinder.
Now you have two choices: rush out to find a vendor (hoping they’re still open) or make an emergency call and wait, unsure when help will come.

In Nigeria, this is a familiar frustration. And it’s exactly the kind of everyday problem that inspired me to design NoWahala: A mobile app that takes the stress (“wahala”) out of gas refills.

Understanding the Problem

While urban areas have plenty of gas vendors, the process is often manual and unpredictable:

• You have to call around to find who’s available.
• Prices vary without explanation.
• Delivery times are uncertain.
• Safety standards aren’t always clear.

The gap was obvious, a reliable, location-based platform that connects users to verified gas vendors quickly and safely.

Design Goals

When I began designing NoWahala, I focused on five priorities:

1. Speed – Let users place an order in just a few taps.
2. Accuracy – Auto-detect or quickly set the delivery location.
3. Transparency – Show clear pricing and delivery times upfront.
4. Trust – Highlight vendor verification and safety compliance.
5. Accessibility – Make the app intuitive for all, with language and payment flexibility.

Design Process

User Research

I mapped out personas including:

• Busy professionals who want quick deliveries.
• Homemakers managing household needs.
• Small restaurant owners needing bulk orders.

Wireframing & Prototyping

Initial sketches focused on reducing the number of taps from app launch to checkout. The home screen prominently featured:

• Order Gas Now button
• Nearest verified vendors with ratings
• Real-time price per kilogram

Usability Testing Insights

After testing with 10 target users, I discovered:

• Location services needed more accuracy in certain areas.
• Users wanted Pay on Delivery in addition to digital payments.
• Order confirmation screens needed to show delivery time and vendor details more clearly.

Iteration & Final Design

Based on feedback, I made key improvements:

• Enhanced GPS accuracy and added “Set My Address” shortcut.
• Expanded payment options to include OPay, PalmPay, and Pay on Delivery.
• Introduced a vendor badge system for trust and safety.
• Added a detailed order summary before checkout.
• Integrated language toggle for Pidgin English.

The Outcome

The final NoWahala app delivers a fast, friendly, and trustworthy way to refill gas cylinders. Users can now order in seconds, track deliveries in real-time, and feel confident about safety and pricing.

Key Takeaway

Good design solves real problems. With NoWahala, it wasn’t about adding flashy features, it was about removing the friction from an essential, everyday task.