The EIB Global is providing €50 million in financing to Albania to support sustainable development in the northern municipalities of Shkodër, Lezhë, and Malësi e Madhe. The investment is aimed at improving basic infrastructure and public services while boosting regional development, environmental protection, tourism, and investment attractiveness in the area.
The programme will fund upgrades to regional roads, urban squares, boulevards, public transport systems, water infrastructure, and the restoration of natural and cultural heritage sites. A key component is the development of the “Gate of Alps” initiative, which will establish the first direct tourism corridor linking the Albanian Alps with the Adriatic coast, supporting year-round tourism and improved regional connectivity.
Officials from both the EIB and the Albanian government highlighted the project’s importance for economic growth and territorial development. EIB representatives noted that the investment will help bring infrastructure closer to EU standards and unlock new opportunities for business development, job creation, and private investment in northern Albania.
In addition to the loan, EIB Global is providing a €1.75 million technical assistance grant to support project preparation and implementation through the Albanian Development Fund. The initiative builds on nearly €900 million in previous EIB investments in Albania over the past three decades, reinforcing long-term support for infrastructure, urban development, and regional economic transformation.
