At the presentation of the Startup and Startup Grant 2024 winners this Tuesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to digitize public services. The initiative, aimed at supporting innovative startups through grants and incentives, reflects Albania’s push toward a tech-driven economy.

During the event, Rama emphasized the financial and environmental impact of moving services online, noting that Albanians have saved around €620 million by accessing public services digitally—money that would otherwise be spent on travel and paperwork.

“Thanks to digital services, we have saved 75 million sheets of paper, and the time saved is equivalent to 25,000 laps around the Earth. This is the miracle and blessing of technology for countries like ours,” Rama said.

He announced that soon all official requests and documents will be fully processed online, eliminating the need for physical presence. Additionally, he shared plans for digitizing public procurement and tenders, in collaboration with Microsoft, to combat corruption by removing human interference. This AI-driven procurement system is expected to be completed by end of 2026.

The Startup Grant 2024 program, which supports promising Albanian startups with funding and resources, is part of a broader effort to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.