Business in Albania

The National Business Center (NBC), as the institution responsible for administering the Commercial Register in Albania, provides a clear and detailed picture of the dynamics of economic entities in the country. As of March 2025, the register includes 252,143 registered entities (with active status), reflecting not only a broad base of entrepreneurial activity but also a diverse structure in terms of ownership, location, and sector of operation.

Domestic Capital Dominates

92.7% of entities are 100% Albanian-owned, indicating a favorable climate for local entrepreneurs. Foreign-owned entities make up 5.4% of the total, while 1.2% are joint ventures (Albanian-foreign). This suggests a business ecosystem primarily based on domestic capital, with a moderate presence of foreign investment.

Tirana – The Economic Heart of the Country

Geographically, Tirana is by far the largest center of economic activity, with 117,879 registered entities, accounting for 46.7% of the national total. It is followed by Durrës (10.7%), Vlorë (8.5%), and Fier (7.4%), reflecting the concentration of economic development in the main urban and coastal counties of the country.

Trade and Services – The Backbone of Albanian Business

According to main activity, the dominant sector is wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, with 93,827 entities or 37.2% of the total. This indicates an economy still heavily centered on trade. Other significant sectors include:

• Accommodation and food service – 17.3%
• Manufacturing – 8.2%
• Transportation and storage – 5.8%
• Construction – 5.3%
• Other service activities – 5.0%
• Professional, scientific, and technical activities – 4.8%
• Information and communication – 3.5%

Legal Structure of Businesses

Businesses in Albania are registered under various legal forms, with natural persons clearly dominating, totaling 196,067 entities or 77.8% of the overall number. More structured legal forms include:

• Limited liability companies (sh.p.k.) – 53,669 entities (21.3%)
• Joint-stock companies (sh.a.) – 1,259 entities (0.5%)
• General partnerships – 443 entities (0.2%)
• Branches of foreign companies – 375 entities (0.1%)
• Limited partnerships – 129 entities (0.1%)

NBC – Facilitating Transparency and Entrepreneurship

As a one-stop-shop for business registration and administration, the NBC offers over 60 online services, including initial registration, statutory changes, registration of beneficial owners, and many other legal and administrative processes. These services are accessible at any time and from any location through the official platform www.qkb.gov.al.

Conclusion

The data from the Commercial Register provides a clear picture of business developments and potential in Albania. With a broad base of active entities, high concentration in major counties, and dominance of the trade and service sectors, the Albanian economy demonstrates vitality and clear potential for further growth. The NBC remains a key institution in promoting transparency and sustainable enterprise development in the country.