5 Growing Sectors for Investment in Albania 2025

5 Growing Sectors for Investment in Albania 2025

Thinking of investing in Albania? Here are the five key sectors expected to offer great opportunities in 2025:

1. Tourism and Hotels: With 11.7 million visitors forecast for 2024 and projects worth €5.3 billion under development, tourism is experiencing extraordinary growth. Coastal areas and cultural tourism are among the most sought after.

2. Manufacturing: From textiles to metal machinery, this sector offers opportunities for export and economic diversification. Currently, 8.2% of registered businesses are in manufacturing.

3. Renewable Energy: Albania aims for 54.4% of its energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2030. Solar and wind energy are the focus.

4. Transport and Warehousing: With the development of the new port at Porto Romano and the modernization of infrastructure, this sector is becoming a key hub for trade links.

5. Construction and Real Estate: Foreign investment of €1.1 billion during 2024 and growing demand for coastal and residential properties.

Why invest? The Albanian economy is expected to grow by 3.5%-3.9% in 2025, and the government has planned €8.2 billion of investment in infrastructure. Now is the time to act.

How much will the Albanian economy grow in 2025? - World Bank

1. Tourism and Hotels

Thanks to infrastructure investments of €8.2 billion, tourism in Albania is experiencing rapid growth. In 2024, 11.7 million visitors are expected, marking an 80% increase compared to 2019 [1].

The government has launched several projects to develop this sector. 33 tourism projects, with a total value of €5.3 billion, are under way. The National Tourism Strategy for 2024–2030 is based on five main pillars: investment, destination management, product development, marketing and capacity building [1].

Some tourism segments have great investment potential:

• Coastal tourism: 80% of hotels are located near the coast, in areas such as Velipoja, Shëngjin, Durrës, Kavaja, Vlora, Saranda and Pogradec [3].

• Agro-mountain tourism: Rural tourism is expanding in the mountain areas, offering authentic experiences.

• Cultural tourism: Four castles protected by UNESCO and a rich cultural heritage create opportunities for the development of cultural infrastructure and services [3].

One of the main challenges remains the lack of yacht ports. However, with EU support and a focus on sustainable tourism, the sector is expected to offer great opportunities through 2025 [2].

Now let us take a look at the manufacturing sector, which has potential for growth and diversification.

2. Manufacturing

Manufacturing accounts for 8.2% of registered businesses, with 612 active companies[5]. This sector offers good opportunities for export and economic diversification.

The main subsectors include:

• Textiles: One example is DBS GROUP ALBANIA, founded in 2014 in Tirana. This company, with 501–1,000 employees, is a leader in the garment industry[4].

• Metal machinery: Marale shpk, founded in 2022 near Tirana, has 11–50 employees and brings technological improvements to this sector[6].

3. Energy Production

Albania’s energy sector has a strong tendency toward renewable sources. Currently, 95% of electricity generation capacity comes from hydropower plants, a higher percentage than in any other country in the Western Balkans [7].

Investment opportunities:

• Solar energy: With around 300 sunny days every year, Albania has great potential for installing solar panels [7].

• Wind and geothermal energy: These sources make up only 0.7% of the total energy supply, leaving room for further expansion [7].

• Financial support: The World Bank has approved a loan of US$120 million (February 2025) to improve the energy market and increase renewable energy capacity [8].

Challenges and solutions:

• Declining hydropower capacity: A decrease of 15-20% is forecast by 2050. The solution? Diversifying sources with solar and wind energy [7].

• Energy losses: Currently, losses reach 21% (2023). Modernizing infrastructure and better management can help reduce these losses [7].

• Unclear legal framework: To solve this problem, cooperation with the authorities is required to establish clearer standards [7].

Albania has set an ambitious target: by 2030, 54.4% of total energy consumption will come from renewable sources [7].

4. Transport and Warehousing

The development of energy resources goes hand in hand with the need for transport and warehousing, making it possible to link production with international markets. The Port of Durrës is experiencing significant growth: during January-February 2025, it processed 548,000 tons of goods, an 8% increase compared with the same period of the previous year [9]. This port plays an important role in connecting production sites with tourist and industrial destinations, becoming a key hub for Albania’s economic development.

The Porto Romano Project

Another important step is the construction of a new port at Porto Romano. This project aims to:

• Expand the country’s logistics capacity

• Create a strategic link with the dry ports in North Macedonia and Kosovo

• Strengthen the Tirana-Durrës economic corridor

• Improve goods transit operations [9]

Room for Investment

The transport and warehousing sector offers several investment opportunities, including:

• Port infrastructure: Modernizing equipment to speed up goods processing

• Warehousing: Building modern centers near ports

• Logistics: Providing integrated transport services

• Technology: Using digital systems for cargo management

According to forecasts, the Albanian economy is expected to grow by 3.4% in 2025, while average wages in the private sector will rise by 12.7% [10]. Good logistics infrastructure creates favorable conditions for investment in the construction and management of warehousing facilities.

5. Construction and Real Estate

With the expansion of logistics networks and growing demand for residential and commercial development, the construction and real estate sector is experiencing rapid development. This is especially visible in coastal areas and major cities. Foreign investment in this market reached €1.1 billion during 2024, reflecting growing interest from international investors [11].

Prices and Opportunities (2024)

Average prices per square meter (2024) [12]:

Factors Driving Development

• Foreign buyers account for 27% of total home sales [11].

• Major government investment in infrastructure, with a budget of €1.6 billion through 2025 [11].

• Growing demand for energy-efficient properties.

• Expansion of the short-term rental market, especially in tourist areas.

Opportunities in the Durrës Area [12]:

• Near the coast: €700–750/m²

• Area behind the railway: €300/m²

• Center: 71,200 ALL/m²

These opportunities are strengthened by infrastructure projects such as the Tirana–Durrës motorway and the new Porto Romano port, which are increasing property values in this region.

Emerging Sectors

• Short-term rental properties for tourists.

• Housing for international students in Tirana.

• Housing adapted for older age groups.

Sector Comparison

The table below summarizes the five key sectors based on forecast investment, expected return and risk factors. It aims to help identify the main investment opportunities for 2025.

Comparison of investment opportunities in Albania for 2025

Once you have selected the sector that best fits your objectives, you can begin planning the next steps for your investment.

Next Steps

Once you have compared the sectors, choose the service that best suits your needs:

Consulting and Market Analysis

To make informed investment decisions, you need support from industry experts. Business Network Albania offers personalized consulting based on experience and in-depth knowledge of each sector. These include:

• Detailed market analyses and advice on legal procedures for registration and licensing

• Tailored strategies for entering each of the five key sectors

These services help you take advantage of the opportunities each sector offers.

"Our value lies in sharing knowledge, not only in making contacts."

Membership and Benefits

To maximize investment opportunities, Business Network Albania offers membership plans tailored to every level of investment. These packages are designed to help you achieve your goals efficiently.

Book a consultation meeting today to determine the most suitable strategy for your investment in Albania.