For the first time, an Albanian entrepreneur has been featured on the prestigious Forbes Billionaires List. Samir Mane, the founder and president of BALFIN Group, ranks 2356th with a net worth of $1.4 billion. The Forbes 2025 Billionaires List includes 3,028 names from around the world, updated according to stock prices and exchange rates. This recognition makes Mane the first Albanian to achieve this level of success on a global business stage.
From refugee in Austria to Business Leader in the Balkans
Samir Mane did not start his journey in the business world from a privileged position. He left communist Albania in 1991, moving to Austria as a refugee. Two years later, in 1993, he started a small business selling household appliances in his homeland.
In 1998, Mane founded Neptun, one of the largest chains of electronic stores in Albania. The success of this business paved the way for expansion, turning BALFIN into one of the most powerful investment groups in the Balkans. In 2005, he returned to Albania to open the country’s first shopping mall, introducing a new concept of retail trade in the region.
The BALFIN Empire: From the Balkans to America
Today, BALFIN Group has a broad investment portfolio that includes:
- Shopping malls, electronic stores, and toy shops across the Balkans
- Real estate sectors in the USA, Canada, and Austria
- A bank and luxury projects in Albania
- Logistics parks and a private university in Albania
This journey, from being a refugee to a global billionaire, makes Samir Mane’s story one of the most remarkable in Albanian business and beyond. His inclusion in the Forbes list is a testament to his influence on the regional and international economy.
0 comments