As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on what an adventurous and transformative year it has been at DODO. From engaging users in research to mentoring young designers and collaborating on global projects, this year reminded us how curiosity and community can drive meaningful change.
We began the year with a clear goal: to run a rigorous human-centered design mentorship program for young designers and user researchers in our region. Many people wondered why this was such a big deal. The answer lies in how Human-Centered Design works within Africa’s social impact and development space. The context is complex, and every success is worth celebrating.
Global organizations continue to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals and often look to design partners for actionable insights that can drive real change. To create this impact, researchers must collect accurate, high-quality data from the ground up. At DODO, we take pride in empowering local researchers to do just that, putting their best foot forward and ensuring that every insight reflects real human stories.
Mentorship – Building the Next Generation of Researchers
In our work over the years, we’ve seen a growing need for skilled local researchers who can apply HCD principles within their communities. Global organizations pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals depend on accurate, high-quality data and that begins with well-trained researchers on the ground.
Our mentorship program helped bridge that gap. Over six weeks, about 15 emerging designers and researchers went through intensive training in design thinking, data gathering, analysis, and storytelling. Each session was designed to build confidence, sharpen research skills, and strengthen the ability to engage users in research with empathy and depth.
Deepening Research Impact with Global Partners
In another milestone, we partnered with the Gender Equality team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We explored new ways of engaging users in research. Through this collaboration, we created a special LABS experience where women shared feedback on issues that affect their reproductive health.
During these in-depth sessions, our team carefully recruited participants across different cities. We ensured that each woman truly represented the audience we aimed to understand. Over several days, we designed meaningful activities that encouraged open conversations, reflection, and connection.
Collaboration, Community, and Impact
Finally, we celebrated a major milestone, the completion of a long-term collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This project, which began in Nigeria, expanded across several African countries and involved over 500 participants.
Throughout the journey, our team gathered insights that reflected the diverse realities and experiences across regions. As the project concluded in the final African country, we brought together the collective findings and shared them with key stakeholders.
Recently, our partners presented these results to the Gates Foundation, and the feedback was incredibly positive. We’re thrilled by the impact this work has made and look forward to sharing more about it soon.
We hope your 2024 was as exciting and filled with action as ours. However, no matter what it was like, we hope your 2025 will be even better.
Here are some highlights from a couple of members of our team from the past year.
