19 November, Tirana
Connect Albania 2025
Digital Payments Forum dedicated to the future of cashless finance in Albania, bringing together banks, payments networks, fintech, regulators, tourism operators and cybersecurity experts.
Policy and fintech sessions
Hands-on cyber security workshop
FT bestselling book discussion
Financial literacy presentation
ConnectAlbania 2025 Digital Payments Forum in details
The rapid growth of digital payments in Albania reflects a broader transformation of the
economy. Contactless cards, QR payments, e-wallets, and online banking are now central to
how citizens, businesses, and visitors transact. Albania is also experiencing record tourism,
where seamless cashless experiences are expected. Yet, challenges remain: low digital literacy,
rural-urban gaps in access, trust and cybersecurity risks, and the need for stronger collaboration
between banks, fintechs, regulators, and civil society.
This forum is designed as a regional, first-of-its-kind platform to build the foundations for a cashless, interconnected future, through digital payments, a future where financial savvy Gen-
Zs can fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams through everything digital. The forum will bring
together policymakers, entrepreneurs, bankers, academics, non-profits and media into a
conversation about digital payments, financial education and civic innovators.
The full-day event
will combine a high-level conference, an interactive financial-education space, a digital-
currencies future conversation based on an international bestselling economist, a secure digital
payments secure coding session for coding students in partnership with 42 Tirana featuring a
Microsoft Senior Security Engineer. Live performances from artists, company booths welcoming
students into digital payments and much more.
Our Speakers
Delina Ibrahimaj
Minister of Economy and Innovation
Gent Sejko
Governor of the Bank of Albania
Spiro Brumbulli
Secretary General at Albanian Association
Vanya Manova
Country Manager Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo at Mastercard.
Francesco Di Salvo
Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank Group
Tanya Genova
Director Business Development, Mastercard Europe
Enio Civici
Moderator, Connect Albania Co-Founder
Eni Vasili
General Director National Radio-Television
Gladiola Dona
Founder, Hospitality and Tourism Academy
Gjergji Guri
Founder and CEO, Facilization
Ledia Bregu
Director Payment Systems, Bank of Albania
Ksenia Oleneva
Executive Director, ICG Research
Armora Rama
Senior Security Researcher, Microsoft Founder, ThinkCyber Foundation
Gerti Mitre
Director, Sales and Account Management, Facilization
Alban Pllaha
Founder, Choose Balkans
Harrison Griffiths
International Programs, Institute of Economic Affairs UK
Prof. Dr Mateo Spaho
Dekan i Fakultetit të Ekonomisë, Biznesit dhe Zhvillimit, Universiteti Europian të Tiranës
Irida Huta
Manager, Digital Channels, OTP Bank Albania
Klodjan Hima
Director of Cloud & Technology Services, Facilization
Visar Vokrri
Research Director, Riinvest Institute, Kosova
Special Guest
Brunello Rosa
CEO, Rosa & Roubini Associates UK
Agenda of the Day
Join us for a full-day experience filled with insightful panel discussions, inspiring presentations, an exclusive bestselling book showcase, and a hands-on cybersecurity session. Whether you're passionate about digital payments, financial innovation, entrepreneurship, or online safety, the program is designed to offer value at every step.
You can participate in the entire day or select the sessions that best match your interests — from high-level policy conversations and practical learning workshops to engaging talks led by leading experts and innovators.
The Future of Digital, Innovation Hub, Pyramid
Digital Payments Secure Code Simulation, 42 Tirana, Pyramid
World View Discussion with Brunello Rosa
Innovation Hub, Pyramid
World View Discussion with Prof. Brunello Rosa
Brunello Rosa is a Geopolitical Macro-Strategist with extensive policy experience
working in the private sector and academia, advising market participants, policy makers and institutions.
Brunello is member of the Advisory Board of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Digital Markets and Digital Money and previously of the APPG on Central Banks and Digital Currencies, to the Chief Economist of the European Investment Bank and to the Ambassador of Italy to the UK. From 2024, Brunello Rosa has presented his views to the Academic Advisory Group recently formed by the Bank of England and HM Treasury, on matters related to his line of research on CBDCs. In 2022 he was invited by the Bundesbank to presented his views on the geopolitical aspects of CBDCs for the G7 forum organised by Germany via the Bundesbank.
Prof. Rosa is the CEO and Head of Research at Rosa & Roubini Associates, an independent macro-financial and geo-political advisory firm.
Brunello Rosa is a Honorary Visiting Professor in the School of Policy and Global Affairs at City, University of London. He is also a Visiting Senior Fellow of the School of Public Policy and an Associate at the Centre For Macroeconomics of the London School of Economics and Political Science
Best Economics Book 2024 - Financial Times
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