- Gjirafa, a leading technology and e-commerce platform, announced a $5 million investment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
- The investment is part of Gjirafa’s upcoming Series C funding round.
- The funding aims to support the internet economy in the Western Balkans and advance Gjirafa’s regional growth plans.
Erin Elizabeth McKee, Assistant Administrator at USAID’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, described the investment as an extraordinary opportunity to further integrate Kosovo into the global economy by creating new cooperation bridges with neighboring countries that promote regional stability. She emphasized that this support will help small businesses grow.
“With Gjirafa’s expansion into the Balkans, these businesses will not be alone. They will have the opportunity to be part of a platform that already has a loyal customer base, enabling them to expand from local sales to regional and international markets,” stated Ambassador McKee.
Jeffrey M. Hovenier, U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that “this investment is critical for Kosovo and the growth of entrepreneurs, who will have a platform to sell their products both within Kosovo and beyond, with the support of Gjirafa’s regional expansion.” Praising the work and vision of Gjirafa, Ambassador Hovenier also thanked Mr. Cahani and the Gjirafa team for their long-term partnership and the efforts made over the last decade to build this successful company.
The first partnership of its kind in Kosovo
Larry Sacks, Director of Development at DFC, described this partnership as historic, marking the first of its kind in Kosovo. He emphasized that the project would play a crucial role in expanding Gjirafa’s services in the region, stating, “The financial support from DFC will enable Gjirafa to expand its e-commerce and media services across the entire Balkans.”
Sacks further noted that this strategic collaboration serves as a cornerstone for strengthening the already strong ties between the United States and the people of Kosovo.
Key step toward Series C funding
Gjirafa’s Founder and CEO, Mergim Cahani, in his speech, reflected on the journey and challenges that led to this important moment, highlighting the company’s mission to build the internet economy in Southeast Europe. During his address, Cahani stated, “The $5 million investment from DFC is part of our goal for the upcoming Series C investment round, enabling us to grow like never before.”
Cahani also shared concrete expectations for the long-term impact of the partnership.
“With this investment, we aim to onboard thousands of businesses in the region, digitize them, and open new markets for growth, create hundreds of new jobs, and facilitate cross-border transactions,” said Cahani.
Cahani also highlighted the joint efforts to harness the potential of e-commerce, with the goal of driving economic growth and improving the quality of life in Kosovo and for millions of people across Southeast Europe.
