Albanian businesses, difficulties in accessing finance - OECD Report: Create a Private Credit Bureau. Development Bank, a positive step
Access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses remains one of the most challenging aspects of the Albanian economy, despite slight improvements in recent years. According to the OECD SME Policy Index 2026, Albania is rated 3.13 points for the access to finance dimension, a slight increase compared to the previous rating of 3.05 points, but still below the average of the Western Balkan countries and Turkey, which is 3.21 points.
The report assesses that the improvement has been supported by the development of the microfinance sector, the expansion of instruments such as leasing and factoring, as well as steps to strengthen financial education and financing alternatives for businesses. However, bank lending continues to be hampered by structural weaknesses, particularly in collateral registration and the credit information system.
In the bank financing sub-dimension, Albania has suffered a decline from 3.70 points in 2022 to 3.20 points in 2026. According to the OECD, this is related to the lack of a complete framework for credit information, as well as the discontinuation of temporary sovereign guarantee schemes that were created during the pandemic to facilitate business financing.
The report highlights that the Bank of Albania’s Credit Registry does not include data from service companies or retailers, while a legal basis for the creation of a private credit information bureau is still lacking. Also, the registration of movable assets, especially in the agricultural sector, remains problematic, limiting the ability of businesses to use assets as collateral.
Another factor that has influenced the result is the discontinuation of major financial support programs for SMEs. The share of loans to small and medium-sized businesses in total bank loans has fallen from 29.9% in 2019 to 26.9% in 2024, a level that remains significantly below the regional average of 35.5%.
However, the OECD welcomes the adoption of the law on the Albanian Development Bank, which lays the groundwork for the establishment of a permanent institution that can facilitate long-term financing for businesses. The report also recommends strengthening the legal framework for collateral security, establishing a private credit bureau, and expanding sustainable financial support instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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