Crest Africa has recognized Awosika Oladapo as the Outstanding Product Designer of the Year, acknowledging his contributions to fintech and consumer product design, his leadership in building scalable digital solutions, and his measurable impact across both African and international markets.
The recognition comes at a time when digital finance continues to evolve rapidly, placing greater importance on intuitive, user-centered product experiences that can scale across borders and diverse user needs.
Currently leading consumer product design at Paga, Awosika has played a critical role in developing multicurrency account experiences that support the company’s international expansion while improving usability for a growing customer base.
His work has delivered clear results, including a 19 percent increase in monthly active users, a 15 percent improvement in user retention, and a 27 percent reduction in registration drop-offs.
These outcomes reflect a design approach that balances user needs with business performance, positioning product design as a key driver of growth in financial services.
Speaking on the recognition, Awosika said, “This award reflects not just my work, but the collective effort of teams committed to building financial products that truly serve users across different markets.”
He further explained his approach to product development, stating, “Design is not just about aesthetics. It is about solving real problems in ways that are simple, scalable, and meaningful for everyday users.”
His perspective highlights the increasing role of design in addressing real-world financial challenges while enabling broader access to digital services.
Awosika’s experience extends beyond Nigeria, with a professional journey that reflects both global exposure and technical depth.
At Guidea in the United States, he contributed to the design of award-winning digital health products, ensuring cohesive user experiences across mobile platforms.
In the United Kingdom, during his time at HopStair, he led a team of designers in building AI-powered coaching platforms, aligning product functionality with business goals while simplifying complex user journeys. This cross-market experience has strengthened his ability to design solutions that are both locally relevant and globally competitive.
Beyond his professional work, Awosika remains actively involved in mentorship, supporting the development of emerging product designers through initiatives such as TechUplift.
His commitment to talent development reflects a broader vision for the design ecosystem in Africa. As he noted, “Mentorship is important to me because the future of design in Africa depends on how well we prepare the next generation to think critically and build with purpose.”
With a background in Computer Science from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Awosika continues to combine technical expertise with strategic design thinking to deliver impactful solutions in fintech and digital finance.
Crest Africa emphasized that the award recognizes not only his achievements but also his growing influence in shaping how digital products are designed, experienced, and scaled across emerging and global markets.
