Markets
Malaj: September inflation at 2.9%, below the European Union average
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj called the figure proof of the economy's stability and pointed to the Transparency Board, the excise cut and the “Price Chart” as tools to curb pressure on prices.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 26, 2026, 14:20 · Updated 18:41 · 1 min read
In brief
- According to Minister Malaj, Albania recorded 2.9% inflation in September, below the EU average.
- The Transparency Board has been reinstated to monitor the fuel market, alongside the option of cutting excise duty.
- The “Price Chart” lets citizens compare the prices of everyday products.
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said Monday that Albania recorded an inflation rate of 2.9% in September, a level he said is below the European Union average. The minister did not give the corresponding EU figure in his post.
In a social media post, Malaj said “this indicator reflects the stability of the Albanian economy,” as well as the effect of measures the government has taken to cope with price pressures.
Tools against rising prices
The minister cited the reinstatement of the Transparency Board, which monitors the fuel market and sets price caps. As an additional instrument he listed the excise cut, which aims to soften the impact of price increases on consumers.
The excise measure was presented the same Monday to Parliament's Committee on Laws by Deputy Minister Endrit Yzeiraj, who explained that the cut is triggered only when the price cap exceeds 200 lek a liter for gasoline or 220 lek a liter for diesel. He said the full effect of the cut on the consumer price is 9.45 lek a liter.
The “Price Chart”
Malaj also highlighted the “Price Chart,” a tool that he said increases transparency and allows citizens to compare the prices of products they buy every day. According to the minister, the goal of these measures is to keep prices stable and support the purchasing power of Albanian families.
The minister's statement comes as the lek remains strong against the euro, which fell to record lows last week according to the Bank of Albania's official rate.
