Itara Shop
This case study explores the development of a cross-platform mobile application for a Nigerian eCommerce platform. The solution aimed to streamline seller onboarding, payment integration, stock management, and delivery handling using Flutter and GitLab CI/CD.
A mobile-first eCommerce platform for shop owners in Nigeria built using Flutter.
Case Study: Mobile eCommerce Platform for the Nigerian Market.
Overview
This project involved building a mobile-first eCommerce platform aimed at empowering shop owners across Nigeria. The platform needed to simplify seller onboarding, handle payments and inventory management, and automate delivery logistics—allowing sellers to focus solely on managing their product catalogs.
Objectives
- Develop a user-friendly mobile app accessible to a wide audience in Nigeria.
- Enable seamless onboarding for sellers.
- Integrate inventory, payment, and delivery workflows.
- Ensure quick go-to-market with minimal technical overhead.
My Role
- Lead Mobile Developer (iOS & Android)
- Platform: Flutter (Dart)
- Contributions: Architecture design, feature implementation, API integration, CI/CD pipeline setup, UX feedback loop.
Implementation Breakdown
1. Brainstorming & Planning
Collaborated with stakeholders to define the MVP scope. We conducted technical feasibility reviews and aligned on key features based on local user behavior and market fit.
2. Design System
- Worked with Sketch App for real-time design collaboration.
- Refined high-fidelity screens to suit Flutter’s widget-based rendering system and maintain performance parity across platforms.
3. Mobile Development
- Used Flutter to accelerate development and ensure cross-platform consistency.
- Chose Flutter for its:
“Flutter’s single codebase reduced development time by over 40% without sacrificing UX quality.”
4. Backend Integration
- Integrated with an existing Laravel-based API defined using OpenAPI spec.
- OpenAPI documentation streamlined request validation and endpoint testing.
5. CI/CD Pipeline
- Configured GitLab CI/CD for automated testing and deployments.
- Implemented version tagging and rollout processes for staging/production environments.
Outcomes
- Delivered fully functional Android and iOS apps within the planned timeline.
- Reduced operational burden for sellers by integrating core workflows (inventory, payments, delivery).
- Established a scalable CI/CD pipeline to support future iterations and updates.
Technologies Used
- Flutter (Mobile framework)
- Dart (Programming language)
- Sketch (Design collaboration)
- Laravel API with OpenAPI
- GitLab CI/CD