A Turkish businessman has publicly committed to generating employment opportunities specifically for the country’s youth.
Deniz Alverir, a Turkish businessman has recently opened the country’s first Turkish restaurant, offering a taste of Istanbul in Banjul.
“The Dune Lounge is more about creating jobs and building a socio-economic bridge between The Gambia and Turkey.”
Already established in The Gambia’s renewable energy sector, Mr Alverir has teamed up with his brother to launch what is being hailed as a spectacle Turkish dining experience.
The move, encouraged by Turkish Ambassador Fahri Türkeroba aims to provide Gambians with a taste of luxury that, until now, often required a trip to Senegal or Dubai.
Beyond the menu of traditional Turkish breakfast and specialised meats, the venture is serving as a major employer and training ground.
The restaurant currently employs 46 Gambians, each of whom is undergoing intensive training under a team of master chefs, bakers, and managers brought in directly from Turkey.
“We are training 46 Gambians here to make them ready as future entrepreneurs, chefs, and managers,” Alverir said during the opening ceremony.
“This is not just a business for us; it’s something we want to share with our brothers and sisters. Each person we hire has a family to take care of. This is helping the economy and helping the people.”
While the restaurant features a VIP room equipped with smart boards for high-level business meetings and Zoom calls, Alverir emphasises that the priority remains the local community rather than the tourist trade.
“Our priority is not tourists,” Alverir noted. “Many Gambians know Turkey through movies and series, or they have travelled there.
“The idea is to bring that culture here so they don’t have to go a long way to eat Turkish food”.
The establishment focuses on unique Turkish flavors and high-end presentation including signature dishes served with smoke effects and real gold accents.
“The place is beautiful, tasty, and cultural,” Alverir said. “Food is caring and sharing. That is what we do.”
While Deniz Alverir remains heavily involved in the energy sector, he credits his brother, the Managing Director, as the “main man” behind the restaurant’s daily operations.
Together, they have worked to ensure the price point remains accessible.
“We keep our prices in the middle not low, not high so that everyone in The Gambia can come, visit, and have a taste,” Alverir concluded. “We are welcoming everybody.”
This initiative underscores ongoing national efforts to combat unemployment among young people.
