Ms. Holta Zaçaj

Holta Zaçaj has served as First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania since 1 April 2026 and as a member of its Supervisory Council since 20 February 2026.

She graduated from the Law School of  University of Tirana, in 1998. As part of the Fulbright Program, she completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Securities and Financial Regulation at Georgetown University, United States (2007–2008).

Ms Zaçaj started her professional journey in 1999 as a lawyer and human rights advocate at the “Peace Through Justice” Centre, working on the Kosovo war crimes project. Afterwards, she worked as an attorney at the Integrated Legal Practices and Services Centre, contributing to legal aid projects.

From 2008 onwards, alongside her engagement in civil society as a lawyer and human rights expert, she practiced law in several prestigious law firms, including in the State of Massachusetts in United States of America.

Ms Zaçaj has extensive experience at the intersection of law and the financial and banking sector. Between 2013 and 2018, she served as Director of the Legal Department at Alpha Bank Albania, where she played a key role in providing strategic legal advice, managing legal risks, and aligning practices with international financial sector standards.

From February 2023 to November 2025, she served as judge and President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania. In this capacity, she led the highest constitutional justice institution in the country, contributing to strengthening the rule of law, safeguarding the Constitution, and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights.

Throughout her career, Ms Zaçaj has contributed as a national and international legal expert to major institutions including UNICEF, the Council of Europe, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

In parallel with her professional activities, she is engaged since 2009 as a lecturer at the School of Magistrates in both initial and continuous training programs and has delivered lectures on banking and financial law at several universities in Albania.

Ms Zaçaj is the author and co-author of thirty studies and publications in the fields of human rights, constitutional law, and banking and securities law.

She is fluent in English, Italian, French and German.