Transparency International Georgia: 13 out of 15 shareholders of "Lilo Mall" are political donors—they have contributed a total of 3.88 million GEL to party coffers
The most profitable deals do not take place at the stalls of the Lilo Market. The real millions change hands when the owners of "Lilo Mall" negotiate with the government—this is according to information released by Transparency International Georgia.
As stated in the report, 13 out of the 15 shareholders of “Lilo Mall" are political donors.
“In total, they have contributed GEL 3,882,010 in political donations, of which 96.6% went to the ruling party "Georgian Dream" (GEL 3,512,000 in 2017–2026) and Salome Zourabichvili (GEL 240,000), the presidential candidate supported by them in 2018; whereas in 2012, they donated GEL 120,000 to the "United National Movement." The example of "Lilo Mall" clearly illustrates a flawed practice established in Georgia: for a segment of business, it does not matter which political force governs the country — they always donate money to whoever happens to be in power at that moment.
LCC "Lilo-Mall" is a company registered in 1995 that owns the so-called Lilo Market located in Tbilisi. The company's shares are distributed among 15 individuals, 13 of whom have contributed significant financial resources toward funding the ruling political group:
The following people own shares in the company, but are not among the political donors: dual Georgian-Dutch citizens Giorgi Sakvarelidze (7.79%) and Ioseb Sakvarelidze (7.79%). The position of company director is held by Giorgi Kvaratskhelia.
Alongside political donations, companies related to the owners of "Lilo Mall" have received over GEL 50 million from state procurement. The vast majority of this amount - GEL 49 million - belongs to the company of major donor Vazha Usanetashvili, which primarily carries out roadworks. Transparency International Georgia published a study in September 2026 regarding the involvement of "Arsakidze 2000" LLC in state tenders, which established that on July 13, 2026 - the very day it transferred GEL 60,000 to "Georgian Dream"—the company received a GEL 712,000 contract from the Isani Municipality, winning a total of GEL 1.4 million in tenders in July alone. Overall, from 2013 to date, "Arsakidze 2000" LLC has won 108 tenders worth GEL 49 million in total, while also receiving GEL 387,000 in direct procurements. Founded in 2000, Usanetashvili holds a 55% stake in "Arsakidze 2000" LLC, with the remaining 45% stake held by Nikoloz Saralidze, who also serves as director.
"Lilo Mall" LLC itself has signed only two state procurement contracts with a total value of GEL 158,000. The most recent contract was awarded in January 2026 by "Georgian Post." Under the deal, in exchange for GEL 150,000, "Lilo Mall" grants "Georgian Post" permission to bring cargo trucks onto its territory and perform freight transfers throughout the year.
Companies owned by other "Lilo Mall" shareholders also participate in tenders, albeit for smaller sums. Specifically, companies linked to Giorgi Gagua ("Sevsamora Management" LLC, "Sevsamora" LLC, and "Kherki" LLC) received a total of GEL 308,716 through simplified procurements and tenders. "Lilo Product Service" LLC, partially owned by Davit Gavasheli, secured GEL 286,691 across 301 procurements, while Ilia Badriashvili's "Tao 2052" LLC received GEL 12,489 through 9 simplified procurements.
The millions poured into the ruling party's coffers by 13 of Lilo Mall’s 15 shareholders serve as a clear illustration of a flawed practice established in Georgia—where the success, prosperity, and privileged position of large businesses depend not on free competition, but on financially demonstrated political loyalty toward the government”, reads the report.
