The Bank of Albania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the “WE Finance Code Albania – Code for Financing Women Entrepreneurs” today. The initiative starts a national partnership to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led or owned by women.
The launch ceremony took place at the Bank of Albania. Governor Gent Sejko and EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions Francis Malige opened the event with welcoming remarks.
Sejko described the initiative as an important commitment to support women entrepreneurs. He stressed the need for data, institutional cooperation and concrete action. Therefore, the Bank of Albania will serve as Albania’s national coordinator. It will bring public institutions and financial organizations together to build a more inclusive financing market.
Furthermore, Sejko highlighted the bank’s efforts to modernize Albania’s financial system. The bank will expand access to financial services and strengthen financial education. At the same time, it will improve financial infrastructure and promote better use of financial data.
Sejko also praised all institutions involved in the initiative. He stressed that the partners will measure its success through the real opportunities they create for women entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, the initiative has already produced a concrete result. The partners created a national analytical panel for MSME financing. The new tool combines information on loans and deposits with key business characteristics. These include ownership gender, company size, economic sector, region and legal form.
In addition, the Bank of Albania will make the panel available to the public on its official website. The tool will help users analyze the market, improve transparency and support data-driven decisions.
Following the launch, participants held a panel discussion. Second Deputy Governor Natasha Ahmetaj joined representatives from the banking sector and public institutions. Together, they discussed how better cooperation and stronger data can help financial institutions develop more suitable products for women entrepreneurs. They also examined ways to create more effective policies.
Moreover, the launch of the “WE Finance Code Albania” begins a long-term process. The participating institutions will work together to improve data quality and track progress. As a result, they aim to create better conditions for women-owned and women-led businesses across Albania.
Finally, the Bank of Albania will continue supporting a modern, stable, efficient and inclusive financial system. Within its mandate, it will strengthen financial infrastructure, improve statistical data and promote data-driven decision-making.
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