Volume 2 - Issue 2, March - April 2026

The financial technology (fintech) sector in Albania has undergone significant transformation over the past decade. This article examines the development trajectory of fintech in Albania, identifying key challenges including regulatory uncertainty, low financial literacy, infrastructure gaps, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The study explores opportunities available to Albanian fintech firms in the context of European Union integration, regional cooperation within the Western Balkans, and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on quantitative data from the Bank of Albania, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, the paper employs a mixed-methods approach. Findings indicate that Albania lags behind EU member states in fintech adoption metrics but possesses structural advantages—including a young population, high mobile penetration, and a substantial diaspora remittance flow—that create conditions for fintech growth. AI emerges as a critical enabler for credit scoring, fraud detection, and financial inclusion. Albania's accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) in November 2024 represents a structural shift for cross-border payments. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for regulators, financial institutions, and technology entrepreneurs.

Anna Maria Kosova, Eda Tabaku, Robert Kosova,"Development of Fintech in Albania and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(2): Page(1195-1200) Mar-Apr 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.