More than 70 women-led enterprises from across Albania gathered in Tirana on 29 October for the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025, an annual platform created to expand economic opportunities for women and strengthen investment in women-led ventures.
Now in its third year, the EXPO has evolved into a national meeting point for women entrepreneurs, investors, government bodies, and private sector partners. The event aims to help businesses access new markets, build networks, and develop partnerships that support wider economic development.
The EXPO was organised by UN Women in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, with support from the governments of Sweden, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. More than 100 participants attended the gathering, which included a business fair, workshops, networking sessions, and a ceremony for companies signing on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) to formalise commitments to gender equality in the workplace.
“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.
Entrepreneurs from sectors including agri-food, eco-fashion, tourism, and digital services took part in the event, with around 40 per cent representing rural and semi-urban communities. Exhibitors presented their products, shared experiences, and discussed barriers and prospects for expanding their businesses.
“This was my first time attending the fair, and I truly enjoyed the experience. Everything was very well organized,” said Luiza Tare, tailor and founder of “Art” Vlora.
Among the younger participants was 19-year-old Adela Lamçe, one of the founders of the digital platform “NineHana”, which connects pregnant women and new mothers with one another and with experts through shared experiences and professional support. “We are truly excited for everything that lies ahead. This is only the beginning of a beautiful journey together,” she said.
Since its launch, the EXPO has reached more than 200 women entrepreneurs across Albania through networking events, workshops, and business fairs. More than 130 women have created business-to-business connections as a direct result of the initiative. Despite women owning or managing over 30 per cent of active small enterprises in Albania, their participation remains largely concentrated in smaller ventures. Organisers say the 2025 EXPO provides an important platform for women to connect with investors and explore new markets.
“Supporting women entrepreneurs means investing in Albania’s future,” said Michele Ribotta, UN Women Representative in Albania.
This year’s event also included thematic discussions on digitalisation and finance, rural and tourism entrepreneurship, and broader structural challenges affecting women-led business growth. Speakers represented the Bank of Albania, the European Union Delegation to Albania, the Ministry of Tourism and Agriculture, and several international development organisations.
The Tirana gathering was held as part of the wider regional Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025, coordinated by the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with the European Union, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Business Angels Network (EBAN), and Women in Tech Global.
