Governor Gent Sejko said rising global oil and energy prices could affect inflation and economic growth in Albania, although the impact is expected to remain temporary.
Speaking during an official meeting in Tirana with representatives from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, Sejko emphasized that Albania’s economy continues to show positive momentum despite ongoing global uncertainty. The meeting was led by Massimiliano Paolucci and Laureta Qorlazja.
During the discussions, Sejko thanked both institutions for their long-term technical support to the Bank of Albania, particularly in banking supervision, payment systems, and financial education. He noted that while international market volatility remains high, future monetary policy decisions will continue to be guided by new economic data and aligned with the central bank’s price stability mandate.
Sejko highlighted that increases in global oil and energy prices could create short-term inflationary pressure and influence economic expansion in Albania. However, he stressed that current projections suggest these shocks will not create lasting structural damage to the country’s long-term economic trajectory.
Representatives from the World Bank praised Albania’s monetary policy and banking reforms, noting the sharp decline in non-performing loans—from 25% in 2014 to 3.8% in 2026. Discussions also focused on Albania’s progress in payment modernization, including alignment with European standards, successful integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and cooperation on instant payment systems, digital finance, and open banking initiatives.