On a bright afternoon in Tirana, Samir Mane, who looks neat in discreet elegance, looks over the bustling expanse of Tirana East Gate Mall—the largest shopping mall in Albania and the most emblematic expression of the economic transition in the country. His path to becoming Albania's first billionnaire, however, is one of perseverance, foresight, and unrelenting drive that started far from the gleaming storefronts and upscale labels that now make up his empire.
A Refugee's Humble Beginnings
Born in 1967 in the Albanian city of Korçë in the repressive communist regime of Enver Hoxha, Mane's childhood was one of adversity and restriction. Everything was controlled by the regime, including his studies at university for geology—a subject he never had a say in. It was 1991 when Albania's communist system fell apart, and a 23-year-old Mane took the opportunity for liberty, making the dangerous trip to Austria. He came to Vienna as a refugee, having spent months in camps, learning German, and making a living as a translator. His original aspiration was humble: to own a home or a car, rather than a business empire.
Seizing Opportunity in a New World
The collapse of communism opened Albania up to the world, and Mane saw a special opportunity. Albanians poured into Vienna to purchase electronics, and Mane, utilizing his linguistic abilities and business acumen, started importing domestic appliances in Albania. In 1993, he launched Alba-Trade, driving trucks packed with merchandise himself from Austria to Albania, sleeping in the truck to guard his product. The orders were too great—his shipments would sell out in mere hours.
Constructing the BALFIN Empire
Mane's tireless work ethic and vision created Neptun in 1998, which fast became Albania's top electronics chain. By 2005, he was back in Albania with a vision to bring Western-style retailing and real estate: he opened Albania's first modern shopping mall and, ignoring foreign investors' doubts, his own supermarket chain, Euromax, hiring specialists from Europe to guarantee success.
Mane's BALFIN Group today is a 10-nation powerhouse that has interests in retail, property, banking, logistics, and asset management. The group's sales in 2024 reached $880 million and net profit was $120 million, while 62% of its revenues came from the retail sector and 20% from real estate. The investments of BALFIN range from shopping malls to electronic and toy outlets, luxury homes, a bank, and a private university. The group has an outreach beyond the Balkans, with investments in Austria, Canada, and the United States.
Vision, Diversification, and International Influence
Mane credits his success to learning from international business giants such as Jack Welch and Sam Walton for diversification and flexibility. He was one of the earliest investors in expanding Balkan markets following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, seeing the untapped potential of the region. His properties, like the luxury villas of Rolling Hills and Green Coast resort along the Adriatic Sea, have raised the standards of Albanian property, luring both domestic and foreign investors.
Getting Through Doubt and Remaining Independent
Even with his success, Mane's path was not smooth. Most questioned his vision, particularly in a nation where informal markets ruled and Western-style malls did not belong. But Mane held on, attracting major investments, such as a $15 million shot in the arm from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He has also avoided political connections and state privatizations, claiming he made his fortune on his own and openly.
A Symbol of Albania's Renewal
Mane's tale hits close to home in a country still shaking off decades of seclusion and economic hardship. Being listed on the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List, with an estimated $1.4 billion net worth, is a milestone moment in Albanian history. His contribution is tangible in the Tirana skyline, the employment opportunities, and the consumer culture revolution he brought about.
As Albania's first billionaire, Samir Mane is a symbol of the strength of determination, the value of grabbing opportunity, and the huge difference one man can make on the fate of an entire nation.
Source: Forbes, Tirana Times, AlbaniaTech
