The President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, Nadia Calviño, visited Albania to announce new financing initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses, innovation, digitalisation, and green production across the country. The visit included the launch of a €20 million financing agreement that positions Albania as the first beneficiary of the European Union’s Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans.
During her visit, President Calviño met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to reaffirm the EIB Group’s continued support for Albania’s progress toward European Union membership. Discussions focused on strengthening economic reforms, expanding investment, and supporting the country’s alignment with EU standards and development priorities.
The EIB stated that it plans to increase financing for Albania by 60 percent in 2026 compared to the previous year. The institution is supporting investments across multiple sectors including energy, climate action, transport, urban infrastructure, water supply, and digital transformation.
As part of the visit, Albania officially became the first country to benefit from the EU’s Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans. Under the initiative, an initial €20 million agreement was signed between the EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania to support financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Cap companies.
The financing facility is designed to help Albanian businesses invest in innovation, digital technologies, energy efficiency, and environmentally sustainable production systems. According to the EIB, the initiative aims to strengthen competitiveness, increase exports, and support deeper integration of Albanian companies into European markets.
The agreement will be implemented through Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, which will provide favourable financing conditions to eligible businesses across the country. The EIB noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem and support sustainable economic growth.
The Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans includes a wider package consisting of €170 million in EIB loans, €17 million in EU investment grants, and €5.8 million in technical assistance. In addition to supporting businesses, the programme aims to encourage innovation, green transition, and digital development across the Western Balkans region.
Albanian officials described the agreement as a sign of growing international confidence in the country’s economy, macroeconomic stability, and private sector potential. The government stated that the initiative will help modernise businesses, support sustainable development, and strengthen Albania’s economic integration with the European Union.
During the visit, President Calviño also toured Le Bon, a Tirana-based bakery and pastry business benefiting from EIB-backed financing. The company has used financing support to modernise production processes, improve energy efficiency, and expand employment opportunities.
The EIB delegation additionally met with government representatives and banking sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for accelerating green growth, improving connectivity, and strengthening Albania’s economic development and investment environment.
The European Investment Bank emphasized that its support for Albania is closely linked to the country’s EU accession process and broader efforts to strengthen economic competitiveness, infrastructure, sustainability, and living standards.
