UNITEL

Redesigned Unitel (Angola’s largest telco) app and website to drive clearer, faster self-service for customers with low digital literacy and limited data/coverage. Using plain language, mobile-first design, and a home screen centered on balance and actions, reducing support calls and in-store help.

January, 2023

INDUSTRY

Telco

INDUSTRY

Telco

company

Unitel

company

Unitel

Role

Product Designer

Role

Product Designer

about.
Project Brief

UNITEL, Angola’s largest telecom, asked us to improve the end-to-end experience across app and web.
In a context of low digital literacy, older/smaller devices, limited data/coverage, and a strong habit of using shops/call centers for routine tasks.
The goal was to deliver a simple, trustworthy self-service experience in clear, locally appropriate Portuguese.

The Challenge

Costumers couldn’t easily see their balance, make sense of plan rules, or finish tasks on small screens with limited data, so they turned to the shop or call center for help.

At this point, we asked ourselves:
How might we enable customers with low digital literacy and limited data to confidently manage their plans on their phones, without needing a shop or call center?

The Outcome

The app and website were designed around clarity and control:

  • Balance-first homepage with the current balance, validity, and one-tap actions (Top up / Activate / Change plan).

  • Plain-language plan pages with transparent benefits, limits, and fees.

  • Mobile-first, lightweight flows with progressive loading; consistent patterns across app and web.


The Impact

By making the essentials easy to see and act on, people can check balance, top up, and change plans on their own. Which led to fewer support calls, less hassle, and more confidence.

making the decisions.
The Impact

By making the essentials easy to see and act on, people can check balance, top up, and change plans on their own. Which led to fewer support calls, less hassle, and more confidence.

Curious about what we can create together?
Let’s bring something extraordinary to life!

+351 913 873 339

info@ricardosousamendes.work

Designed & Developed

by Ricardo Sousa Mendes

with a lot of ☕️ & 🎵🎶

All rights reserved,

R.© 2025

Curious about what we can create together?
Let’s bring something extraordinary to life!

+351 913 873 339

info@ricardosousamendes.work

Designed & Developed

by Ricardo Sousa Mendes

with a lot of ☕️ & 🎵🎶

All rights reserved,

R.© 2025

Curious about what we can create together?
Let’s bring something extraordinary to life!

+351 913 873 339

info@ricardosousamendes.work

Designed & Developed

by Ricardo Sousa Mendes

with a lot of ☕️ & 🎵🎶

All rights reserved,

R.© 2025