OffliPay

Offline mobile payment via QR code for the DRC and Africa. Works without internet, costs 0.8% vs. 1-17% for competitors. 61% of the population is financially excluded. React Native + ECDSA crypto

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Inspiration

With 61% of the population in the DRC excluded from the financial system, and only 35% of rural areas having stable internet access, we wanted to build a 100% offline mobile payment solution.
The idea was inspired by local markets where cash transactions remain dominant due to the lack of reliable digital alternatives.

Features

  • Offline QR Code Payments: Generate and scan QR codes without internet
  • ECDSA Cryptography: Secure local digital signatures
  • Smart Sync: Automatic reconciliation once reconnected
  • Agent Management: Cash-in/cash-out point network
  • Multilingual Interface: Support for local languages
  • Local Ledger: Encrypted SQLite storage of all transactions

How We Built It

  • React Native 0.80.1 with New Architecture for performance
  • Expo SDK 53 for camera, crypto, and storage access
  • SQLite for local data persistence
  • TypeScript for reliable and scalable code
  • Full UI flows including multi-screen navigation
  • Test data used for offline functionality simulation

Challenges We Faced

  • Complex UI Architecture: Dynamic screen transitions with persistent state
  • React Native Optimization: Smooth performance on low-end Android devices
  • State Management: Ensuring data/UI consistency
  • Responsive Design: UI scaling across various screen sizes
  • Test Data Realism: Simulating believable offline transaction flows

Achievements We’re Proud Of

  • Fully functional app with complete user interfaces
  • Seamless navigation between payment, receiving, and history screens
  • User-friendly UX, tailored for local digital literacy levels
  • Realistic test data, showcasing actual transaction use cases
  • Scalable architecture, ready for crypto layer integration

What We Learned

  • React Native 0.80.1 delivers strong performance for complex UIs
  • State management is critical in offline-first apps
  • UX design must be grounded in local user realities
  • Modular architecture accelerates future development
  • Test-driven design helps validate product-market fit early

What’s Next for OffliPay

  1. Cryptographic Integration: Full ECDSA implementation for secure offline transactions
  2. Offline Sync Algorithms: Ledger reconciliation and conflict resolution
  3. Security Testing: Complete audit of cryptographic architecture
  4. QR Code Signing: Embedded validation and signature in generated codes
  5. Field Pilot: Real-world testing with local merchants and agents
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