Everyday finance made simple
Zalta is a mobile app designed to help Nigerians take control of their personal finances. The app connects directly to users’ bank accounts to categorize transactions, track spending patterns, and simplify budgeting. Through Zalta, users can move from reactive money management to proactive financial planning, fostering healthier financial habits.
In Lagos, I’d often wonder where my money really went — small things like Suya at night, Bolt rides, random quick buys. Before I knew it, half my money was gone and I couldn’t track it.
I tried a few finance apps, but they didn’t feel built for us. Multiple bank accounts, cash expenses, unreliable connections, none of them handled it well.
That gap inspired Zalta, a simple, local-first app to help Nigerians see exactly where their money goes. It connects to your banks, lets you add cash spends, breaks it down in clear charts, and even rewards you for staying on track.
Zalta is about making money feel less scary and more transparent, so you stay in control of the small stuff that adds up.
Despite the rise of fintech apps in Nigeria, most people still struggle with:
Understanding where their money goes
Categorising transactions manually
Getting timely, local financial advice
Trusting apps with their bank data
Many young professionals, freelancers, and small business owners operate with little visibility into their financial health, until it’s too late.
I conducted secondary research and user interviews with young professionals and small business owners in y vicinity. Key insights included:
People want real-time clarity on their spending without extra effort.
Budgets fail when tools are rigid, flexibility is critical.
AI-driven guidance would make financial management feel personal and approachable.
The majority use low-end Android devices, meaning the app needed to be lightweight and mobile-first.
I designed Zalta with these core experiences:
Budgeting made simple: Users can create flexible budgets and track progress in real-time.
Automated expense tracking: Bank connections categorize spending automatically, while cash transactions can be logged manually.
WiseOne AI assistant: An in-app mascot that provides personalized insights, spending trends, and financial tips in a conversational way.
Accessibility: Optimized for low-end devices, lightweight, and easy to use even for first-time finance app users.
Together, these features empower users to take control of their money and build healthier financial habits.
Zalta was designed to bring clarity and confidence to how Nigerians manage their money. By combining automation, manual flexibility, and AI-driven insights, the app makes budgeting less overwhelming and more actionable. In user testing, 80% of participants said WiseOne’s AI prompts helped them understand their spending patterns better.
While the product is not live yet, these early results show strong potential to meet the needs of Nigeria’s 40+ million young professionals who are underserved by current financial tools.
