EBRD extends €13 million to support Kosovo’s Speeex international expansion

• EBRD lends up to €13 million to Speeex for the acquisition of three Swiss companies
• First merger and acquisition in Kosovo to support international expansion of a local company in the service and technology sector
• Project to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce through new strategy and action plan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a senior loan of up to €13 million to support the international expansion of Speeex, a leading Kosovo-based, tech-enabled business service provider with a strong focus on the Swiss market. This is the first merger and acquisition in Kosovo that supports the international expansion of a local company.

The financing will support Speeex’s acquisition of majority stakes in three Swiss companies – pdc Marketing + Information Technology, Profi Office and Profi Contact – through a newly established Swiss special purpose vehicle. This strategic move will enable Speeex to integrate artificial intelligence into its operations, diversify its already international client base and transfer Swiss best practices to its Kosovan operations, raising service standards above regional norms.

By supporting Speeex’s expansion, the EBRD aims to promote knowledge transfer and job creation in Kosovo, while reinforcing governance and financial discipline. In addition, the investment will strengthen cross-border trade and contribute to the country’s economic development.

Sergiy Maslichenko, EBRD Head of Kosovo, said: “Supporting the growth and internationalisation of dynamic companies like Speeex is at the heart of the EBRD’s mission in Kosovo. This investment will not only help Speeex expand its reach and capabilities, but also foster innovation, create jobs and promote gender equality in the local workforce. We are proud to back a project that strengthens cross-border ties and brings Swiss best practices to Kosovo’s service and technology sector.”

Holger Muent, EBRD Head of Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT), commented: “We are very proud to expand our long-standing relationship with Speeex, one of the leaders of the tech-enabled services sector in Kosovo. The project will help to further develop Kosovo’s human capital base in the sector and strengthen its international competitiveness.”

Fikret Murati, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Speeex, said: "We are deeply grateful for our cooperation with the EBRD and for its support in enabling our international expansion into Switzerland. This marks the first-ever Kosovan-led acquisition in the service and technology sector, and we are proud to be setting this milestone. Beyond strategic growth, this partnership will drive innovation by strengthening cross-border knowledge exchange and advancing digital capabilities. Most importantly, it will create hundreds of new job opportunities for youngsters in both Kosovo and Switzerland, generating long-term social and economic impact. Hence, it will enhance Kosovo’s European competitiveness in the tech-enabled services sector."

Founded in 2016, Speeex employs more than 1,600 staff across Kosovo and exports over 90 per cent of its services to Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The new investment will further strengthen Speeex’s position as a high-performing local enterprise scaling internationally.

The project aligns with the EBRD’s strategic priorities for Kosovo and the TMT sector, supporting the growth of information technology (IT) services companies and accelerating the digital transition. It also contains a dedicated focus on improving opportunities for women and promoting gender inclusion in the workforce.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Kosovo, having invested €840 million through 138 projects to date.