PRESS RELEASE
Second Deputy Governor Ahmetaj at the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre

The 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre (MFC), titled “Microfinance in Transition: Is Purpose at Risk?”, took place on 19 May 2026, bringing together representatives of financial institutions, international organisations, regulatory authorities, investors, microfinance experts from across Europe and the region, as well as representatives of regional sector associations.

The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Ms Natasha Ahmetaj, participated in the opening session of the Conference as a keynote speaker, focusing on the role of microfinance in supporting economic and social development, as well as addressing the challenges posed by a transforming financial and technological environment.

In her speech, Second Deputy Governor Ahmetaj commended the important contribution of the microfinance sector in expanding financial intermediation and supporting small enterprises, particularly in groups and regions with more limited access to traditional banking services. “The primary mission of microfinance is to serve as an affordable alternative and a form of social support for those groups of society most in need of access to the financial sector. Beyond the financial dimension, microfinance should contribute to creating opportunities for development, employment, and economic inclusion, while maintaining a balance between commercial objectives and social responsibility,” stated the Deputy Governor.”

In addressing developments in Albania, the Deputy Governor highlighted that the Bank of Albania has undertaken, in recent years, a series of regulatory and supervisory measures aimed at strengthening transparency, enhancing consumer protection, and improving credit quality in the non-banking and microfinance sector. In this context, she referred to the regulatory amendments introduced to strengthen risk management practices and enhance transparency towards clients.

Deputy Governor Ahmetaj emphasised that reputation and public trust remain crucial elements for the sustainability of the microfinance industry. She underlined that, beyond the regulatory framework and technological developments, the primary mission of microfinance should remain the provision of an affordable and responsible financial alternative for vulnerable groups.

Concluding her remarks, Deputy Governor Ahmetaj praised the role of the Albanian Association of Microfinance as an important partner in modernising the sector, strengthening professional dialogue, and supporting regulatory reforms, expressing confidence that the industry will continue to evolve on a more transparent, professional, and socially responsible basis.