Ms Ekaterina Solovova is Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Albania.

She has been leading the Bank’s operations and the team in Tirana resident office since July 2021. Under her leadership, the EBRD has scaled up its support of the key sectors of the Albanian economy, including renewable energy, tourism, mining, agribusiness, and financial services.

The EBRD is one of the largest multilateral finance institutions in Albania, having provided over EUR 2.2 billion in financing for public and private sector projects since 1991. Its key strategic objectives in Albania include improving the investment climate and governance, promoting the green transition, and enhancing private sector competitiveness. Facilitating foreign direct investments (FDIs) through policy dialogue and investments is an important priority for the EBRD in all its countries of operation. In Albania, the EBRD has been supporting the work of the Investment Council since 2015, while in recent years, the renewable energy auctions, assisted by the Bank, have positioned Albania as an attractive destination for international renewable energy developers. Additionally, the Bank has backed with financing such significant FDIs in the country as TAP, Yildirim Group, and Voltalia.

Ekaterina has over 20 years of experience in development finance and investment. Prior to her appointment in Tirana, she has held senior roles at EBRD, such as Adviser to the President, Head of Resident Office, and senior member of the Equity team, leading investments and representing the Bank on corporate boards. Before joining EBRD, she worked in private equity in the US and UK. Her diverse background and leadership roles underscore her expertise and commitment to advancing development finance and investment initiatives globally.

Married with two daughters aged 9 and 13, Ekaterina and her family enjoy exploring Albania’s hidden gems, whether mountain biking, kayaking, or hiking. Since moving to Albania over three years ago, she has become a passionate advocate for the country as a tourist destination among her close circles and colleagues.