EXPO 2025 in Albania strengthens collaboration between women entrepreneurs and investors

TIRANA, 29 October 2025 – Over 70 women-led businesses from across Albania joined investors, government institutions, and private sector partners today at the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025, a platform designed to boost women’s economic participation and accelerate investment in women-led enterprises.

Held for the third consecutive year in Albania, the EXPO has become a national hub for women’s entrepreneurship, linking local entrepreneurs with new markets and investors, and building partnerships that drive economic growth.

“The economic empowerment of women is one of the most inspiring development stories we are writing together. This progress is not a coincidence, it is the result of consistent policies and strong partnerships, such as with UN Women, that are creating more opportunities for women to grow, innovate, and lead,” - said Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation.

Organized by UN Women, in close partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, and supported by the governments of Sweden, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the event combines a business fair, networking sessions, thematic workshops, and a WEPs signing ceremony for companies committing to the Women’s Empowerment Principles.

The EXPO brought together women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, including agri-food, eco-fashion, tourism, and digital services, around 40% from rural and semi-urban areas. It served as a space for showcasing products, exchanging expertise, and connecting with peers to discuss challenges and opportunities for growth.

During the last three years this initiative has reached over 200 women entrepreneurs through business fairs, workshops, and networking activities, while more than 130 women have built business-to-business connections through EXPO events.

Although women currently own or manage around 30 per cent of all active enterprises in Albania (over 130,000 businesses), their share remains concentrated in small-scale enterprises. EXPO 2025 provides them with a platform to access new markets, partners, and investors.

“Supporting them means investing in Albania’s future”, said Michele Ribotta, UN Women Representative in Albania.

The event also hosted a series of thematic sessions, including discussions on digitalization and finance, rural and tourism entrepreneurship, and systemic barriers to women-led business growth, with contributions from the Bank of Albania, EU Delegation, the Ministry of Tourism and Agriculture, and international partners.

This satellite event was part of a series of activities within the regional Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025, organized by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with the European Union, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Business Angels Network (EBAN) and Women in Tech Global.