The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has announced a new wave of financing for Albania, including a €20 million package designed to support small businesses, innovation, digitalisation and green production across the country.
During her official visit to Tirana, EIB Group President Nadia Calviño met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to reaffirm the bank’s support for Albania’s European Union accession path and the country’s ongoing economic reforms.
The visit marked the first trip to Albania by Calviño since taking office in 2024 and comes as the EIB plans to increase financing for the country by 60% this year compared to 2025. The institution said the investments will focus on infrastructure, energy, climate resilience and digital transformation.
A key announcement from the visit was Albania becoming the first beneficiary of the EU’s Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans. The initial €20 million agreement was signed between the EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania and will provide favourable financing for SMEs and Mid-Caps investing in innovation, digital upgrades and sustainable production models.
“As an investment engine of EU accession, the EIB Group welcomes Albania’s impressive progress and will continue supporting its path towards membership of the European Union,” Calviño stated during the visit.
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the EIB as a strategic partner behind some of Albania’s most transformative projects and linked the cooperation directly to the country’s EU integration ambitions.
The broader regional facility includes €170 million in EIB loans, €17 million in EU investment grants and additional technical assistance aimed at strengthening the Western Balkans’ business innovation ecosystem.
