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Building Capacity to Strengthen Albania’s Insurance Sector

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As Albania continues its efforts to align its insurance sector with European best practices through Solvency II, the World Bank, in partnership with the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority (AFSA), is supporting capacity-building initiatives that enhance regulatory oversight and strengthen financial resilience.

Solvency II is the European Union regulatory framework for insurance companies, designed to ensure financial stability, enhance consumer protection, and promote risk-based supervision. It introduces capital requirements, governance standards, and disclosure obligations that strengthen insurers' ability to manage financial risks effectively. As Albania works toward regulatory alignment with European Union standards, building institutional capacity and technical expertise is critical to ensuring a smooth transition to Solvency II compliance.

The recent technical workshop on Life Insurance Provisions and the Standard Formula under Solvency II was held in Tirana from February 18-21, 2025, to equip actuaries, insurance professionals, and regulators with the tools and methodologies necessary to implement these regulations effectively. The event was organized as part of the Albania Financial Resilience and Development Project, financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) under the Finance for Development (F4D) Umbrella Program.

With participation from 24 representatives of AFSA and insurance companies, the sessions combined technical theory with practical exercises,

allowing participants to apply solvency calculations and assess life insurance provisions in real-world scenarios. The discussions also addressed market-specific challenges, including the classification of insurance products, risk exposure across different asset types, and regulatory oversight of financial reporting in the sector.

The event also contributed to professional development in Albania's actuarial field, as licensed actuaries earned 32 Continuing Professional Development credits. This recognition further reinforces the importance of ongoing learning and skill development in the insurance sector.

This workshop is part of a broader strategic engagement to support Albania's insurance sector reform and financial resilience. It follows a previous session on Non-Life Insurance Provisions and is one of five planned technical workshops aimed at strengthening Albania's insurance regulatory framework. Future sessions will focus on quantitative reporting, risk assessment, and internal modeling, ensuring that Albania's financial sector has the expertise needed to implement a fully compliant Solvency II regime.