An Istanbul-based Nigerian entrepreneur is assuaging the homesickness of Africans residing hundreds of kilometers away from their homeland by establishing a retailer in Istanbul, the place a fusion of native African merchandise and Turkish gadgets will be discovered.
Mark Kendrick Imafidon established the “Afrikan Son Durak” (“African Final Destination”) market in Şişli, Istanbul and shared his journey that started in 2013 when he relocated to Türkiye after graduating from the University of Benin in Nigeria in 2012. Initially, he engaged in commerce by promoting merchandise he sourced from Türkiye again in Nigeria. Under the banner “Istanbul’s Last Stop,” he efficiently opened three outlets in his dwelling nation.
He has turn out to be an important hyperlink between Africa and Türkiye, offering a haven for African expatriates looking for a style of dwelling. The market boasts an eclectic array of choices, together with meals merchandise like plantains, a banana member of the family; taro, paying homage to outsized potatoes; dried catfish; dried shell shrimp; injera bread; and quite a lot of native spices. In addition to culinary delights, the market presents conventional clothes, cosmetics, and family items.
Imafidon expressed: “Every African can buy what they need from my market. We offer local products from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana and beyond.” He famous the enjoyment and satisfaction his clients expertise after they uncover merchandise from their dwelling international locations on the cabinets. He emphasised that Nigerians, specifically, exhibit a robust choice for meals gadgets like plantains, though transporting recent produce from Nigeria to Türkiye presents logistical challenges. However, Imafidon and his workforce be sure that these merchandise are available for patrons.
After settling in Istanbul, Imafidon married an Ethiopian girl he met in 2016. The couple now has two daughters, who attend Turkish colleges. Imafidon shared their preliminary linguistic challenges however highlighted their subsequent adjustment and success of their research. He expressed delight of their constructive relationships with their Turkish classmates and emphasised his robust bonds with the Turkish neighborhood, stating, “All the people I am friends with are good.”
Despite occasional homesickness, Imafidon finds contentment in Istanbul, describing it as his dwelling for the previous 9 years. He expressed his love for the town Rize and revealed that whereas he misses Africa, he all the time seems like a local of Rize.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
