The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) gave Albania’s Tirana Bank a €10 million financing package to help local businesses invest in green technology and expand regional trade, the bank announced.
The deal marks EBRD’s first partnership with Tirana Bank and splits evenly between green financing and trade operations. Half the money goes toward a loan under EBRD’s SME Reboot Programme to help small and medium companies buy cleaner technologies and meet EU standards. The other €5 million creates a trade finance facility to boost cross-border commerce. Donor countries including Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States are backing the project through various EBRD funds.
Albania’s small businesses often struggle to access financing for equipment upgrades and green technology investments that could make them more competitive. Many local companies want to align with European Union standards as Albania works toward EU membership, but lack the capital needed for modernization. The EBRD package addresses both challenges by offering favorable loan terms plus cash back incentives of up to 10% of the loan amount to make green investments more affordable. This type of support helps Albanian firms move beyond traditional business models toward cleaner, more efficient operations.
Charlotte Ruhe, EBRD Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe, said the collaboration will help “expand access to green finance and trade support in Albania” while “helping local businesses align with international standards.” The trade finance component provides guarantees to international banks that cover transaction risks when working with Tirana Bank. This reduces barriers for Albanian companies trying to import equipment or export products to regional markets. The programme also offers short-term loans for pre-shipment and post-shipment financing plus other working capital needed for foreign trade.
Tirana Bank CEO Dritan Mustafa called the partnership “testament to our long-term vision of empowering Albanian businesses.” Founded in 1996 as Albania’s first privately owned bank, Tirana Bank offers both corporate and retail banking services. The institution has built a strong position in Albania’s financial market by developing products tailored to local client needs. EBRD has been active in Albania since 1991, investing over €2.3 billion through 168 projects across different sectors of the economy.
