AI & Anti-Corruption: Albania’s AI “minister” Diella is under fresh scrutiny after prosecutors opened a major investigation into the agency behind it, with allegations of rigged tenders and kickbacks, and prosecutors seeking seizure of assets tied to the alleged scheme. Housing Finance: A new Albanian housing bill would let public bodies build mixed projects—some homes for social/low-cost use, others sold at market prices to fund social housing—plus state guarantees for subsidised home loans and a higher one-off housing grant cap. Banking & Credit: Bank of Albania data show private-sector lending up about 14% year-on-year in Q2, with demand strong for business investment and liquidity, and individuals leaning more toward housing and consumer credit as conditions ease. Payments & Currency Use: Euro-denominated transactions in Albania jumped about 55% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching 288,000 payments worth €4.34bn. Business Representation: The government is drafting a law to replace the current chamber system with a single National Economic Chamber plus sector-based chambers, with an estimated first-year transition cost of 15.4m lek. Demographics & Municipal Capacity: BIRN reports reform documents highlight an ageing population and ongoing emigration that leave many small towns with shrinking budgets and few formal jobs, raising pressure on local governance. Energy Storage Deal: VIM Energy Systems won a battery park contract worth about SEK 190m for Moldova, and also points to a smaller Albania pilot order worth SEK 22m.