Southeast Europe is entering a decisive stage in its digital transformation journey. The region is advancing quickly — yet progress remains uneven across markets, with each country facing distinct opportunities and challenges on its way toward full digital maturity.
To shed light on where the region stands today, SeeNext, with the special professional input of the Bulgarian Fintech Association (BFA), has released a new comprehensive report: “Digitalisation in Southeast Europe: The Digital Pulse of the Region Today.”
The study offers a data-driven assessment of the digitalisation landscape in Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, benchmarking the region’s progress against EU standards and highlighting the key trends shaping its digital future.
Based on SeeNext’s proprietary Digitalisation Index, the report identifies the region’s biggest strengths, persistent bottlenecks, and policy priorities that will define its next wave of transformation.
Key Insights from the Report
- Serbia leads in digital skills, training, and governance, demonstrating the benefits of coordinated public and private sector efforts.
- Bulgaria stands out for its robust digital infrastructure and one of the highest ICT contributions to Gross Value Added (GVA) within the EU.
However, digital uptake among enterprises remains limited, indicating potential for deeper digital integration in business operations. - Romania shows strong infrastructure performance but continues to lag in digital literacy and public digital services.
Overall, the ICT sector across Southeast Europe serves as a powerful engine of competitiveness and innovation, though broader digital adoption still trails EU averages.
Fintech stands at the core of Bulgaria’s digital transformation.
BFA Director Bozhena Bozhilova discusses how innovation in instant payments, embedded finance, and artificial intelligence is reshaping financial services and setting new standards for customer experience. These advancements are not only driving efficiency within Bulgaria’s financial ecosystem but also positioning the country as a key digital innovator in Southeast Europe.
“Digitalisation is not just a technological transition — it is an economic and social imperative. BFA’s mission is to ensure that Southeast Europe is equipped with the right talent, infrastructure, and regulatory support to thrive in the digital era,” said Bozhena Bozhilova, Director of the Bulgarian Fintech Association.
🔗 Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/ggTqHEPz
