People by Bento
Reimagining HR Tech in Africa
Overview
Challenge
We noticed a recurring theme in customer feedback. The existing HR platform was falling short of expectations in several critical areas. Users reported frustratingly slow performance, counterintuitive navigation, and missing essential HR functionalities. Diving deeper through customer interviews, we uncovered specific pain points: the platform's sluggishness created workflow bottlenecks, users struggled to locate necessary features, and crucial functions like OKRs, performance appraisals, and employee engagement tools were either absent or inadequately developed. The challenge was clear: How could we rebuild a platform that not only addressed these immediate concerns but also positioned itself as a forward-thinking solution for the evolving workplace?
Solution
As CTO, I led a comprehensive overhaul of People by Bento, starting with robust product strategy and in-depth UX research. We approached the redesign methodically, mapping user journeys and developing a sophisticated information architecture that would support both current needs and future expansion. I personally spearheaded our system design and architecture initiatives, ensuring the platform could scale efficiently while maintaining optimal performance. This technical foundation was crucial for our ambitious market expansion from Nigeria to Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania each with unique regulatory requirements and user expectations. Our solution focused on creating logical, intuitive navigation pathways that made sense to HR professionals across different cultural contexts. I established a comprehensive design system that maintained consistency while allowing for necessary regional adaptations. Understanding that no HR tool exists in isolation, we built robust integrations with popular workplace tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. This allowed organizations to maintain their existing digital ecosystem while leveraging our platform's advanced capabilities. Throughout development, I oversaw iterative usability testing across all our markets, incorporating diverse user feedback to refine the experience. This wasn't just about fixing bugs, it was about creating a platform that resonated with users across different African business environments.
Outcomes
Under my leadership, the revitalized People by Bento platform transformed from a single-market product with limitations to a robust, multi-country HR solution. Users across six African nations now report significant improvements in navigation speed, feature discoverability, and overall satisfaction. My architectural decisions enabled the platform to deliver a comprehensive suite of HR tools that genuinely support the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment through retirement. Performance management features, including the previously missing OKRs and appraisal systems, now enable meaningful evaluation and development conversations. The new architecture established has accelerated our ability to adapt to new markets, reducing localization time by approximately 80% when entering new territories. This systematic approach to design and development has also drastically reduced bugs and inconsistencies across the platform. Perhaps most importantly, we've changed the narrative around HR software across multiple African markets. Rather than being seen as a necessary evil or another system to reluctantly log into, People by Bento has become a platform that users genuinely enjoy interacting with.
