Public Procurement, Concessions, and PPPs in Albania: Legal Alignment, Implementation Gaps, and Compliance with Directive 2014/23/EU

Abstract

Abstract

This paper examines Albania’s progress in aligning its domestic regulatory framework with European Union standards in the fields of public procurement, concessions, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). It provides an analytical overview of the EU regulatory framework governing public procurement and evaluates its influence on the approximation of Albanian legislation within the context of Chapter 5 of the EU acquis. Special emphasis is placed on concessions and PPPs, which remain among the most challenging areas of alignment, particularly in relations to Directive 2014/23/EU. The paper identifies key legislative gaps, ongoing concerns related to transparency, and inconsistencies in the enforcement of procurement rules, as well as the need to further enhance the digitalization of concession procedures. It also considers the existing administrative and supervisory framework, drawing on data from concession and PPP procedures between 2016 and 2024, along with the roles of key institutions such as ATRAKO, the Public Procurement Agency, and the Ministry of Finance. Furthermore, the paper highlights several persistent structural weaknesses, including the limited effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, the insufficient integration of PPPs into government investment planning, and inconsistencies between the Public Procurement Law and the legal framework governing concessions and PPPs. In light of these findings, the study outlines key areas for future reform, emphasizing the importance of strengthening implementation, institutional coordination, and transparency in order to support Albania’s progress towards European Union integration.