AfriKonnect
A live African business directory for Germany, built as co-founder and core builder alongside other creators — a shipped product, not a prototype.
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Challenge
African-owned businesses across Germany are scattered across word-of-mouth, closed groups and outdated listings. There was no trusted place to find a restaurant, hairdresser, grocer or professional service near you.
Thinking
A directory only works if both sides trust it. That meant designing for discovery first — search by what you need and where you are — while giving owners a listing they are proud to send people to.
Solution
A bilingual directory covering businesses, products, services, categories and cities, with search, popular shortcuts and self-service business listings.
Build
Built collaboratively with other creators, sharing design, front-end and platform work. Shipped publicly and iterated with real listings and real users rather than sample data.
Experience
Visitors land on a single search bar with location, browse by city or category, and reach a business profile in one or two steps.
Outcome
Live and in use at afrikonnect.online, with businesses listing themselves across German cities from Berlin to Munich.
Reflection
Building with a team changes the work: less solo craft, more shared conventions, review and decisions that have to survive other people's hands.
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AI Commerce Experience