Albanian Competition Authority

What Albanian Competition Authority does

The Albanian Competition Authority (Autoriteti i Konkurrencës) is the independent national competition regulator of the Republic of Albania, operating under Law No. 9121/2003 'For the Protection of Competition.' It enforces competition law across three pillars: prohibition of cartels and anti-competitive agreements, prevention of abuse of dominant market position, and ex-ante merger/concentration control. The authority's jurisdiction covers all enterprises operating in Albanian markets — domestic, foreign-invested, and state-owned — and it serves as both an enforcement body and an advocacy institution, promoting competition-aware regulation across other government agencies and the broader public.

The authority operates as a non-commercial state entity funded through the Albanian state budget, with no commercial pricing model or revenue-generating activities. Its operational outputs include a Decisions Publication System, quarterly Decisions Bulletins, Annual Reports, Newsletters, and electronic Forms for complaints, concentration notifications (simplified and full), and leniency applications. Supporting transparency infrastructure includes a Registry of Requests and Responses, a Public Procurement Register, a Transparency Program, and a Public Consultation Platform. Operational activities extend to market monitoring across retail fuel, bread sales, cable broadcasting, and consumer basket prices, plus sector-specific compliance guidance for healthcare, telecommunications, and business associations.

The authority maintains an extensive international cooperation network, holding ICN membership since 2004 and bilateral MOUs with competition authorities in Germany, Italy, Austria, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Turkey, Hungary, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. It is supported by EU technical assistance programs including an EBRD capacity-building project and an IPA II Twinning project, and participates in OECD-GVH/RCC, UNCTAD, Sofia Competition Forum, SEETO, and Energy Community Secretariat activities. Domestically, it cooperates with sector regulators including the Financial Supervisory Authority, Public Procurement Agency, Electronic and Postal Communications Authority, Audiovisual Media Authority, and the Water/Wastewater Regulatory Entity. The authority is led by Chairwoman Juliana Latifi and headquartered in Tirana.

Name

Albanian Competition Authority

Legal name

Autoriteti i Konkurrencës

Website

https://caa.gov.al

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Albanian Competition Authority is Albania's independent national competition regulator, enforcing Law 9121/2003 through cartel prosecution, abuse-of-dominance investigations, and merger control across all Albanian-market enterprises, funded by the state budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Competition Regulation

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

akta.pro primary industry

Competition/Antitrust & Market Conduct Regulators (BPAIAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Competition Policy, State Aid & Public Procurement Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAO), Regulatory & Compliance Law (BPAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Competition law enforcement
• Antitrust regulation
• Merger control
• Market monitoring
• Regulatory authority

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirana

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Albanian Competition Authority enforces competition law across the Republic of Albania under Law No. 9121/2003. Its core regulatory services include investigating prohibited agreements (anti-cartel), abuse of dominant position, and reviewing concentrations/mergers, alongside market monitoring of fuel, bread, telecommunications, and transport sectors. It also issues recommendations to other regulators, conducts competition advocacy, and assesses legislation for competition impact.

Product overview

The Albanian Competition Authority operates as a regulatory body implementing competition law in the Republic of Albania. The institution functions as a unified platform providing regulatory services rather than a commercial product portfolio. The core offerings include: a Decisions Publication System for official rulings on concentrations, prohibited agreements, and abuse of dominant position; Quarterly Decisions Bulletins and Annual Reports documenting institutional activity; Newsletter publications; and various electronic Forms for complaints, concentration notifications, and leniency applications. Supporting transparency initiatives include the Registry of Requests and Responses, Public Procurement Register, and Transparency Program. The authority also conducts Market Monitoring across sectors including retail fuel, bread sales, and telecommunications, and publishes sector-specific Compliance Manuals for healthcare, telecommunications, and business associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Anti-Cartel Enforcement Investigation and sanctioning of prohibited agreements (cartels) between competing undertakings, including bid-rigging in public procurement. Targeted at businesses operating in Albanian markets.
• Abuse of Dominant Position Enforcement Investigation, decision-making, and sanctioning of undertakings that abuse their dominant market position in Albania, with authority to impose fines and behavioral remedies.
• Merger / Concentration Control Review and authorization, conditional clearance, or blocking of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures meeting notification thresholds under Albanian competition law. 14 concentrations were authorized in 2026 alone.
• Market Monitoring Ongoing monitoring of strategic markets including retail fuel, bread sales, cable broadcasters (e.g., 2026 FIFA World Cup transmission rights), telecommunications, and basic consumer basket prices to identify potential competition concerns.
• Leniency Program Program allowing companies to apply for leniency from fines in cartel cases by reporting antitrust violations and cooperating with the authority's investigations.
• Competition Advocacy and Legislative Assessment Issuing recommendations to other Albanian regulatory bodies, conducting competition advocacy campaigns, and assessing draft legislation for its impact on competition. Also covers market liberalization initiatives.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare (Financial Supervisory Authority)coreOthers · 6 April 2021Memorandum of Understanding signed on 06.04.2021 between the Albanian Competition Authority and the Financial Supervisory Authority for cooperation in their respective regulatory domains.
• Albanian UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2019Cooperation agreement with Albanian University signed on 22.11.2019 for developing joint initiatives and activities.
• Agjencia e Prokurimit Publik (Public Procurement Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2019Cooperation agreement with the Public Procurement Agency signed on 02.04.2019 to combat prohibited agreements in public procurement and facilitate identification and exchange of information on bid-rigging cartels.
• Autoriteti i Mediave Audiovizive (Audiovisual Media Authority)supportingOthers · 12 November 2018Memorandum of Understanding with the Audiovisual Media Authority signed on 12.11.2018.
• Posta Shqiptare (Albanian Post)minorOthers · 4 October 2018Memorandum of Understanding with Albanian Post signed on 04.10.2018.
• Autoriteti i Komunikimeve Elektronike dhe Postare (Electronic and Postal Communications Authority)coreOthers · 4 May 2018Memorandum of Understanding with the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority signed on 04.05.2018 for cooperation in the communications sector.
• Komisioneri për të Drejtën e Informimit dhe Mbrojtjen e të Dhënave Personale (Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection)coreOthersMemorandum of Understanding between the Albanian Competition Authority and the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection for cooperation in data protection and information rights.
• Universiteti "Fan S. Noli" KorçësupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for the development of joint initiatives and activities with Fan S. Noli University in Korçë.
• Enti Rregullator i Sektorit të Furnizimit me Ujë dhe Largimit e Përpunimit të Ujërave të NdoturasupportingOthersMemorandum of Understanding with the Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Regulatory Entity.
• Banka Evropiane për Rindërtim dhe Zhvillim (EBRD)coreOthersThe Albanian Competition Authority is a beneficiary of an EBRD technical project titled 'Technical Assistance to the Competition Authority – Capacity Building, Support for Legislation and Advocacy.' The project provides specialized expertise for law revision, staff training, study visits, and stakeholder roundtables for competition advocacy. Duration and budget not publicly disclosed.
• IPA Twinning / EU DelegationcoreOthersThe Albanian Competition Authority is a beneficiary of an IPA II Twinning project titled 'Further Strengthening the Competition Authority' aimed at strengthening institutional capacities. The project was expected to begin implementation during 2018.
• OECD-GVH / Qendra Rajonale e Konkurrencës (Regional Competition Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority cooperates with OECD-GVH/RCC through participation in ongoing seminars and training for Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern European countries. Albania hosted a three-day seminar on 'Merger Control' in June 2018, organized jointly with OECD-GVH/RCC, attended by 27 competition authorities from Europe and Asia. Albania is also part of the RFI (Request for Information) network within this partnership.
• International Competition Network (ICN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority has been a full member of the International Competition Network since 2004. It has taken a more active role, participating in working groups including the Advocacy Working Group.
• Organizata për Bashkëpunimin Ekonomik dhe Zhvillimin (OECD)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority cooperates with OECD using best practice methodologies in its daily work. It participates in annual OECD activities presenting Albanian experience in conferences, forums, and seminars, and contributes to the OECD Report 'Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook' for the Competition Policy chapter.
• Konferenca e Kombeve të Bashkuara për Tregti dhe Zhvillim (UNCTAD)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority participates in UNCTAD's Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, contributing to international competition policy development.
• Sofia Competition Forum (SCF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority is an active member of the Sofia Competition Forum and participates in its activities.
• Observatori i Transportit për Evropën Jug-Lindore (SEETO)supportingOthersThe Albanian Competition Authority engages continuously in activities organized by SEETO in the transport sector.
• Komuniteti i Sekretariatit të Energjisë (Energy Community Secretariat)supportingOthersThe Albanian Competition Authority cooperates with the Energy Community Secretariat through exchange of experiences for the energy market.
• BundesKartellamt (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Albanian Competition Authority conducts study visits in Germany under an Institutional Partnership Project between the Albanian Competition Authority and the German Government for strengthening competition law enforcement. The authority conducted study visits to BundesKartellamt as part of this programme.
• Hellenic Competition Commission (Greece)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement signed on 7 September 2021 in Athens and Tirana between the Hellenic Competition Commission and the Albanian Competition Authority for cooperation in competition policy.
• Spanish National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC, Spain)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement with the Spanish National Commission of Markets and Competition.
• Croatian Competition AgencysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement signed on 10 June 2019 between the Croatian Competition Agency and the Albanian Competition Authority for cooperation in competition policy.
• Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Understanding on cooperation in competition signed on 3 December 2018 between the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Turkish Competition AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement between the Turkish Competition Authority and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Federal Austrian Competition AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum for Cooperation in competition policy signed on 12 December 2014 between the Federal Austrian Competition Authority and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Italian Competition AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement between the Italian Competition Authority and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Competition Commission of KosovosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement between the Competition Commission of Kosovo and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral cooperation agreement signed on 18 June 2009 between the Hungarian Competition Authority and the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Competition Authority of North MacedoniasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement in competition policy signed on 5 December 2007 between the Competition Authority of North Macedonia and the Albanian Competition Authority.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Federal Austrian Competition Authority (BWB): Austria's competition authority, comparable as an EU-state regulator with full enforcement mandate. Memorandum-for-cooperation partner of the Albanian Competition Authority since 2014.
• Turkish Competition Authority: Turkey's national competition authority, comparable as a large non-EU peer with comprehensive antitrust and merger-control enforcement. Bilateral cooperation partner of the Albanian authority.
• Hellenic Competition Commission: Greece's national competition authority, directly comparable as a regional EU-state competition enforcer with similar antitrust, merger-control, and advocacy functions. Bilateral cooperation partner of the Albanian authority.
• Italian Competition Authority (AGCM): Italy's national competition authority, a comparable peer in scope and function. Has a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Albanian Competition Authority and is a natural reference for legislative approximation given geographic and trade ties.
• Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH): Hungary's competition authority, comparable as an EU-state regulator with full antitrust and merger-control toolkit. Longstanding bilateral partner of the Albanian Competition Authority since 2009.
• Competition Authority of North Macedonia: North Macedonia's competition regulator, closely comparable as a Western Balkan peer undergoing EU-accession alignment. Has a longstanding bilateral cooperation agreement with the Albanian Competition Authority since 2007.
• Spanish National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC): Spain's national competition and markets regulator, covering antitrust, merger control, sector regulation, and advocacy. Bilateral cooperation partner of the Albanian Competition Authority.
• Croatian Competition Agency: Croatia's competition regulator, comparable as a small EU-state authority covering antitrust, concentrations, and advocacy. Signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Albanian Competition Authority in 2019.
• Competition Commission of Kosovo: Kosovo's national competition authority, highly comparable as a regional peer in the Western Balkans with shared market dynamics and EU-reform context. Bilateral cooperation partner of the Albanian authority.

Broad incumbents

• Bundeskartellamt (Germany): Germany's federal competition authority — a much larger EU incumbent offering a comparable antitrust and merger-control mandate. The Albanian authority has conducted study visits there under a bilateral institutional partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AutoritetiKonkurrences

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Albanian Competition Authority