Anila Denaj

Anila Denaj was born September 18th, 1973 in Tirana. She has been serving as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development since September 2023.

In 1995, she graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana with a degree in Finance and Banking Management. Denaj has extensive work experience in both the private banking sector, as well as in the public sector.

Her 28-year career also includes a considerable time in international consultancy. Previously, Mrs. Denaj held the post of Minister of Finance and Economy. Additionally, she has served as Deputy Head of the Albanian Agribusiness Support Team (AASF), which received support from the Albanian Government and EBRD. Prior to this, she worked as an external expert for the Rural Credit Guarantee Foundation (RCGF) which was supported by KFW.

Ms. Denaj is a former banker with extensive experience in this sector, totalling over 18 years. She has worked as an international financial advisor at ProCredit Holding GmbH / IPC Consulting Gmbh for twelve years, occupying diverse management positions across ProCredit Group banks in Salvador, Bolivia, Ecuador, Romania, and Mozambique. In Albania, she served as a member of the Procredit Bank board of directors and earlier in her career as the banks’s Deputy General Director.

In 2014, she was appointed General Director in the Ministry of Finance, with a focus on overseeing operations related to finance, legislation, state property management, information technology management, and human resources, among others. Her experience also extends to her position as director of numerous significant boards, including the Administrative Council of the Mandatory Healthcare Insurance Fund in Albania (FSDKSH). Additionally, she held the position of General Director for a period of four months.

She has also served as a board member for the Albanian Social Insurance Fund and INSIG sa. Insurance Company. Mrs Denaj was a member of A.K.E.P.’s board for three years, overseeing electronic and postal communications in Albania. Moreover, Ms Denaj boasts a long-standing partnership with ASPA, where she is certified by the European Union in the Leadership programme. Currently, as the chairperson of the sub-committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she completed a certification on the topic “Circular Economy. Transition to Sustainable Development” near “MIT Professional Education” in Boston, USA.