Across many estates in Nigeria, accessing clean water isn’t just about availability—it’s about delivery inefficiencies that create daily struggles for millions of residents.
In a country where water supply should be straightforward, countless people still find themselves dealing with unpredictable deliveries, endless follow-ups, and a complete lack of transparency.
For many, securing water means making multiple calls to vendors, waiting without any clear timeline, and dealing with inconsistent payment systems that rely heavily on cash. It’s a frustrating process—one that often leads to wasted time, stress, and unnecessary inconveniences.
But what if ordering water was as simple as booking a ride or ordering food using technology?
That’s the question Seun Alakanse, a product designer, asked when he set out to create Drips Water—a mobile app that’s revolutionizing water delivery by making it predictable, transparent, and effortless.
When we sat down with Seun Alakanse, the brilliant product designer behind Drips Water, a mobile app revolutionizing water delivery in Nigeria, we uncovered a fascinating behind-the-scenes journey.
What started as a frustration with unpredictable water deliveries turned into a game-changing solution that is improving the daily lives of many people across the country.
Here’s what we learned about the thought process, challenges, and design choices that made Drips Water the success it is today.
1. The Idea Was Born from Real Frustration
Seun’s journey began not in a brainstorming session, but in a casual conversation. As he recalls, a friend vented about how water deliveries had become increasingly unreliable, with no set delivery time, leaving people stuck in a frustrating waiting game. Seun was struck by the commonality of this issue, hearing similar complaints from others.
“When I started talking to people, it became clear—access to water wasn’t the issue. The problem lay in the delivery process. It was outdated, unreliable, and stressful for everyone involved. But with the right use of technology, this was a problem that could be solved.”
This conversation was the spark for Drips Water, a mobile app designed to eliminate all the unpredictability and frustration tied to water deliveries.
2. Understanding the Problem: Deep Dive into the User Experience
Before Seun began sketching wireframes or drafting ideas, he took a methodical approach to understanding the problem. He didn’t just rely on assumptions or generic research; he engaged directly with real users—households, businesses, and vendors—to get to the heart of the issue.
“I spoke to everyone involved in the water delivery chain—households, businesses, and vendors. The insights I gathered were crucial in understanding the full scope of the problem.”
Through these conversations, Seun uncovered several key pain points that shaped his vision for the app. Ordering water was a hassle, often requiring multiple phone calls just to schedule a single delivery.
Delivery schedules were highly unpredictable, leaving people frustrated and uncertain about when their water would arrive.
Additionally, payment processes were inconsistent, with many transactions relying on cash, making them both inconvenient and difficult to track. These insights highlighted the need for a more streamlined, reliable solution.
3. Designing for Simplicity and Ease
Seun knew that in order for Drips Water to succeed, the design had to be simple, intuitive, and functional. The goal was to make water delivery as seamless as ordering a ride or meal through an app. This meant no complicated steps, just a clean and straightforward process that anyone could use.
“I wanted to create an experience that felt effortless. The app had to be easy for everyone to use, no matter their tech-savviness. The goal was to eliminate confusion and make water delivery something people could rely on daily.”
The design of the app was built around three core experiences that would redefine the water delivery process. First, Instant Ordering allowed users to place an order with just a few taps, eliminating the need for phone calls or waiting on a vendor. Second,
Real-time tracking enables users to track their water delivery as it happened, putting an end to the uncertainty of delivery times. Third, Hassle-Free Payments provided a seamless, integrated digital payment system, modernizing what had traditionally been a cumbersome and cash-dependent process.
Seun emphasized that every design choice, from the colour palette inspired by water to the clear, modern typography, was crafted with one goal: to create an app that felt natural, trustworthy, and easy to use.
4. The Reality of Design: Testing, Failing, and Refining
One of the most eye-opening parts of our conversation was hearing about the challenges Seun faced during the design and testing phase. No app is perfect right out of the gate, and Drips Water was no exception. As Seun put it:
“Even with a great idea, no product is flawless at launch. We learned so much from real user feedback. Things I thought would work seamlessly didn’t always resonate with people.”
One of the surprising hurdles? Many users were initially hesitant about using digital payments for water delivery, preferring to pay with cash.
Instead of abandoning the idea of digital payments, Seun decided to introduce a hybrid payment model, allowing users to continue paying with cash while also encouraging digital payments through small incentives.
Through iterative testing and refining, the team was able to improve the app’s navigation, checkout process, and order confirmation system. Each round of testing brought the product closer to its final, polished version.
5. The Moment of Success: When the App Finally Clicked
After months of research, design, testing, and iteration, Drips Water was officially launched. Seun recalls the sense of relief and excitement when the first orders began rolling in.
“When we saw people actually using the app and placing orders without issues, it was a huge moment for us. But the best part was reading the feedback from users—hearing how much it improved their daily lives.”
One review, in particular, stuck with him:
“I used to stress over running out of water. Now, I just tap a button, and it arrives. It feels like magic,” Seun Alakanse said. This moment confirmed that Drips Water wasn’t just another app—it was a game-changer technology to transform the water delivery experience and simplify it for everyday users.
6. The Lessons Learned: Design Isn’t Just About Pretty Interfaces
Through the entire process, Seun learned that design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about solving real problems. Drips Water wasn’t just a beautiful app; it was a tool that solved a real-life issue for countless individuals.
“What I learned most from this project is that the best design is useful, intuitive, and life-changing. It’s not just about creating something that looks good—it’s about designing a solution that makes people’s lives better.”
The journey from a simple frustration to a fully functional product reinforced Seun’s belief that design has the power to transform everyday experiences. In the end, he believes that great design is all about making life easier, one screen at a time.
Speaking with Seun Alakanse gave us a deeper understanding of how thoughtful product design can solve real-world problems.
Drips Water is more than just an app—it’s a perfect example of how design can create impactful, user-centric solutions. Seun’s journey is a testament to the power of empathy, testing, and iteration, and the result is an app that’s not only revolutionizing water delivery but also making a positive difference in the lives of its users.
