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ADGF and Tirana Bank Launch First Partnership to Expand Access to Finance for Albanian MSMEs

Tirana, 28 September 2026 – The Albanian Development Guarantee Foundation (ADGF) and Tirana Bank have signed their first partnership agreement, marking the beginning of cooperation to expand access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Albania, with a particular focus on underserved segments of the economy.

The agreement forms part of the EU–KfW Western Balkans Guarantee Programme, which supports the resilience and competitiveness of MSMEs. It brings the two institutions together around a shared objective: helping more Albanian businesses access the financing they need to invest, develop and contribute to the country’s economic advancement.

Access to finance remains an important barrier for businesses with growth potential, including those with insufficient collateral to secure bank lending. Through the programme’s guarantee mechanism, the partnership aims to help address these constraints and create greater opportunities for viable businesses to obtain financing.

For entrepreneurs, improved access to finance can support investment in modern equipment, technological upgrades, expanded production capacity and stronger business operations. These investments can help enterprises become more productive, withstand economic challenges and create employment, extending the benefits of business growth to communities across Albania.

The partnership also supports a forward-looking priority: preparing Albanian MSMEs for European markets. Financing business modernisation and improvements in productivity and quality can help enterprises strengthen their competitiveness and build their capacity to meet the demands of a more integrated European economy.

As a new partner of ADGF, Tirana Bank broadens the network of financial institutions working with the Foundation to reach underserved businesses. This first agreement establishes a foundation for cooperation focused on translating guarantee instruments into practical financing opportunities and meaningful economic impact.

By connecting financial inclusion with enterprise development, ADGF and Tirana Bank aim to contribute to a more resilient and competitive private sector—supporting sustainable growth, employment and Albania’s progress towards European integration.

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Rüdiger Hartmann

Board Member nominated by KfW

Rüdiger Hartmann has over 30 years of professional experience in development banking, primarily in senior management roles at KfW. His career has encompassed financial-sector development, development economics, evaluation, international cooperation, regulation and credit guarantee schemes. He established and led KfW's independent Evaluation Unit and later headed departments responsible for cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the development of instruments, regulation and procedures for German Financial Cooperation. He also served as Director of KfW's Belgrade office, where he followed SME financing programmes and the establishment and operation of the German-Serbian credit guarantee foundation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF).

Senida Mesi

Independent Board Member

Senida Mesi is a development economist with more than 25 years of experience in banking, public administration, international consulting and institutional governance. She spent over 17 years in the banking sector, including senior executive and extended management board responsibilities at ProCredit Bank Albania, gaining extensive experience in banking operations, access to finance and organisational development.
From 2017 to 2019, she served as Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and was a Member of Parliament from 2017 to 2021, contributing to public administration, policymaking and institutional reform.
She currently works as an international consultant and serves on the Supervisory Boards of EIT Water and Albanian Digital Solution. She also holds international advisory and governance roles with organisations including the Council of Europe, ALDA and SDSN Europe.

Jonida Lakuriqi

Independent Board Member

Jonida Lakuriqi is a senior executive with more than 23 years of experience in law, governance, strategy and business. Her career spans telecommunications, technology, banking and infrastructure, including C-suite executive roles and extensive experience advising boards, government institutions, regulators and investors on complex mergers and acquisitions, privatisations, concessions and cross-border transformations.
Since 2018, she has been a key member of Vodafone Albania's leadership team as Director of Legal, Public Policy, Corporate & External Affairs, while also serving on the Executive Board and Administration Council.
She also serves as Chair of the Vodafone Albania Foundation Board and Vice President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Albania. Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, digital transformation and sustainable business.

John P. Khoury

Chairman of the Board | Independent Board Member

John P. Khoury has served as Chairman of the ADGF Board since the Foundation's inception. He currently also serves on bank boards, investment committees and risk management committees, and contributes to the management of MSME funds. With more than 30 years of international experience, he has established and managed financial institutions and advised multilateral organisations, governments, investors and financial institutions across several regions over the world. His work has focused particularly on financial-sector development, credit risk management, SME and microfinance programmes, and the design, establishment and management of credit guarantee funds. Mr. Khoury played an instrumental role in the establishment of ADGF in 2015.

Edvin Myftiu

Chief Risk Officer

Edvin leads risk management at ADGF as Chief Risk Officer, a position he assumed in June 2026.
A seasoned banker with more than 23 years in Albania's financial sector, he built his career across lending, branch, regional and district leadership, network sales and micro & small enterprise banking. That front-line credit experience shapes his approach at ADGF — managing risk with discipline while keeping the Foundation's guarantees working for Albanian MSMEs.
Edvin graduated in Agro-Business from the Agricultural University of Tirana in 2001 and has completed various trainings and certifications during his professional career.

Gertjana Drita

Executive Director

Gertjana joined ADGF at the beginning of 2020 and currently holds the position of Executive Director at the foundation.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the banking system, covering management positions in Human Resources Management and Small & Medium Enterprises Business Department.
Gertjana has graduated in Finance & Accounting at University of Tirana and has participated in many international development trainings programs.

Laureta Domi

Chief Guarantee Officer

Laureta joined ADGF at the beginning of 2022 and currently holds the position of Chief Guarantee Officer at the foundation.
She is an experienced Finance and Banking Senior Manager with 19 years in team building, leadership, sales force effectiveness, customer experience and portfolio management.
Laureta has a Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science degree in Management from the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, as well as a Master Degree in Finance and Banking from the Institute Universitaire Kort Bosch, in Switzerland besides many certificated courses and trainings. She also lectures as a visiting professor in Aleksandër Moisiu University.

Ermir Çoba

Agro & RE Portfolio Manager

Ermir joined ADGF in May 2022 and is responsible for managing the Agro and Energy Efficiency/ Renewable Energy guarantee portfolio.
He has about 15 years of experience in the banking and microfinance system, holding several positions, related to credit financial analysis, risk reporting and risk assessment.
Ermir graduated in Accounting at the University of Tirana and also holds several national and international certifications in the field of accounting, risk management, financial analysis, agriculture lending, etc.

Aurela Tomini

Portfolio Manager

Aurela joined ADGF in November 2025 as a Portfolio Manager.
She is an experienced banking professional with two decades in the financial industry, having held diverse roles in sales, risk management, and product development.
Aurela graduated from the Agricultural University of Tirana, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Agri-Business in 2005. Throughout her career, she has also completed numerous professional trainings that have further strengthened her expertise in banking operations, credit processes, and financial analysis.

Besiana Lika

Chief Financial Officer

Besiana joined ADGF in 2016 and is responsible for the financial management of the foundation.
Also, she serves as the Secretary to the Board of Directors.
She has a background in finance, accounting, risk and business analytics.
Besiana earned a Bachelor degree in Finance & Accounting in 2012 and a Master of Science in Finance in 2014, in the Faculty of Economy at the University of Tirana. Since her graduation, she is also working as a part time lecturer at the Faculty of Economy.

Stelina Shefqeti

Finance & Administration Officer

Stelina joined ADGF in 2021 and is responsible for the financial and administrative activities of the foundation.
Stelina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 2020 and a Master of Science in Finance in 2022 from the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. In addition, she has pursued several professional courses and trainings focused on accounting, financial analysis and financial modeling.