By Sainabou Sambou
Dawda Sanyang, a resident of Kartong, has transformed his career path from a security guard to a thriving juice vendor, marking a significant shift in his professional journey. For six years, Sanyang worked diligently as a watchman at Kartong Berekuntu Beach, overseeing materials intended for a construction project by former President Yahya Jammeh. This project aimed to build a mosque comparable to the one in Gunjur.
Despite his dedication, Sanyang found his monthly earnings of 3,000 dalasis insufficient to meet his needs. This financial challenge prompted him to explore additional income opportunities.
“I started selling drinks to make extra money,” Sanyang shared in an exclusive interview with TAT.
Embracing this new venture, Sanyang began offering fresh orange juice, baobab juice, tea, and coffee to locals and tourists visiting the beach. His entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to adapt have supplemented his income and established him as a familiar and friendly face among beachgoers.
Sanyang’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. It demonstrates how an individual can successfully navigate career transitions and capitalize on new opportunities.
Starting with only six drinks, Dawda Sanyang gradually expanded his juice business, dedicating himself full-time to it in 2017. While he reports that “the business is going well,” he also acknowledges that there are weeks when sales can be non-existent.
His primary customer base consists of tourists and locals. His offerings are priced at 100 dalasis for a glass of juice and 200 dalasis for a glass with ice. Sanyang typically spends about 1,000 dalasis on a bag of oranges, which allows him to generate a monthly profit of 1,500 to 2,000 dalasis.
Despite facing challenges, including an incident where a tour guide discouraged tourists from purchasing his juice, Sanyang remains determined to grow his business. He has aspirations to build a restaurant and create job opportunities for young people in the community.
Unlike many young Gambians who seek opportunities abroad, Sanyang expresses a strong commitment to staying in The Gambia and investing in his local business. “Even if I had the money to leave, I’d invest it here,” he stated, underscoring his dedication to his home country.
Tourism plays a crucial role in The Gambia’s economy, with eco-tourism, particularly birdwatching, drawing many international visitors. The Gambia Tourism Board reports that birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, with over 500 bird species available for observation.
This influx of tourists creates opportunities for small local businesses, such as Dawda Sanyang’s juice venture, to flourish. Kartong Beach, known for its popularity among Gambians and visitors, is an ideal location for Sanyang’s business.
Tourists like Matthais Tappendorf, a German birdwatcher, have become regular customers. Tappendorf told TAT, “I bought orange juice from Dawda last year and returned for baobab juice this year. I recommend it to other tourists.”
ย
Similarly, Gรถtz Richter, a first-time visitor from Germany, shared his experience: “My friend told me about The Gambia, and since we love birdwatching and traveling, we decided to visit. A few weeks ago, we bought orange juice from Dawda, and today, we tried his baobab juice. He is well known among tourists, and many Western visitors buy from him.”
Sanyang’s journey also reflects young people’s broader challenges in The Gambia.
According to reports, the country has a high youth unemployment rate, with over 41.5% of the population aged 15 to 35 without jobs. This lack of employment opportunities has driven many young individuals to seek work abroad. However, Sanyang’s experience illustrates that entrepreneurship can be a viable alternative for those looking to create opportunities within the local economy.
The International Labour Organization also reports that nearly half of young Gambians are unemployed. Local businesses like Dawda Sanyang’s juice venture can significantly contribute to job creation and economic growth within the country. By fostering entrepreneurship, such businesses can help address the unemployment issue and stimulate the local economy, providing opportunities for young people to engage in productive work.
