Albania has been ranked first in the Western Balkans for the modernization and integrity of its public procurement system, according to the latest SIGMA monitoring report.
Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement during the event “30 Years of Public Procurement – Albania, Regional Leader in Procurement System Modernization”, emphasizing that the country has undergone a fundamental transformation in this sector. He noted that progress must be communicated more clearly, especially in a highly polarized political environment.
Despite ongoing criticism, Rama highlighted that recent data show significant improvements compared to previous years, crediting the achievements to the work of the Public Procurement Agency, the Public Procurement Commission, and cooperation with international partners, including the World Bank.
Albania Enters a New Technological Phase With Artificial Intelligence
The SIGMA report places Albania well ahead of other countries in the region in terms of procurement performance.
Rama also announced that Albania is entering a new technological phase, where artificial intelligence will take a central role in procurement procedures.
“We are now in an advanced process to transfer the entire procurement system into the hands of artificial intelligence, with a very high percentage of procedures no longer involving human intervention,” Rama declared, arguing that this transition will increase transparency and minimize opportunities for abuse.
Concerns Over Algorithm Manipulation Addressed
Addressing concerns about possible manipulation of AI algorithms, the prime minister assured the public that the new “Diella” system will be fully auditable and traceable at every step.
However, he clarified that final decisions will remain in the hands of the competent procurement commissions.
Rama underscored the need for higher professionalism in the procurement field. The government has already centralized all procedures under the Centralized Purchasing Operator, which is expected to evolve into a specialized professional institution capable of managing thousands of complex procedures requiring advanced expertise.
