About Us
Empowering communities through financial inclusion and sustainable development
INAFI Bangladesh is a national network of development organisations (MFIs/NGOs), and practitioners committed to supporting low-income communities in achieving meaningful inclusion in the mainstream financial process. Since its inception in 2003, it has been actively promoting comprehensive development with a focus on financial and social inclusion as well as climate change adaptation to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
We work to improve access to alternative financial and non-financial services through innovation, capacity building, research, and advocacy. Our network currently comprises 27 member organisations (MOs), which include the leading as well as the medium and small MFIs/NGOs in Bangladesh.
Vision
"A world where the poor are empowered and ensured sustainable livelihood with dignity"
Mission
- ●Contribute to the alleviation of poverty through well-managed microfinance services
- ●Promote innovation and diversity of micro-financial services and products
- ●Promote financial inclusions by demand driven and affordable financial services
- ●Influence the strategic direction of the industry by promoting good practices
- ●Conduct effective advocacy campaigns for pro-poor development policy
How the Journey Began
The International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI) was established in 1995 as a global network of development practitioners (MFIs/ NGOs). Initiated and promoted by Oxfam Novib, the network brought together representatives from three of the world's most economically disadvantaged regions—Africa, Asia, and Latin America. INAFI was registered as a not-for-profit organization under Peruvian law, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Under the leadership of its International Secretariat, INAFI operated through three regional secretariats—Asia, Africa, and Latin America—each registered independently to ensure regional legal standing. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC, served as the President of INAFI International since 2006. Both INAFI International and the Asia Secretariat were headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, while the African and Latin American secretariats were based in Nairobi, Kenya, and Mexico City, Mexico, respectively. Moreover, INAFI Asia operated through establishing four country chapters in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the Philippines, all of which operated under their respective national regulations.
INAFI was not aligned with a single institutional model or microfinance approach. The network represented a range of institutional approaches that promote development and poverty alleviation through different microfinance methodologies, ranging from focused microfinance service delivery to the provision of multiple services through different windows, and integrated service delivery. While microfinance was a key component of the strategies adopted by member organizations, INAFI placed equal importance on the broader goals of social and human development.
Over time, while INAFI's global structure may have scaled down, INAFI Bangladesh continued its operations with strong commitment and support from its member organizations and governing body.
Today, INAFI Bangladesh is repositioning itself as a national network, focusing on country-specific initiatives that align with INAFI's core mission—to support inclusive financial and social services and contribute to sustainable development—continues to thrive through the active engagement and collaboration of its national members.
Goals and Objectives
Poverty Reduction
To contribute to poverty reduction, ensure food security, and empower the poor — with a strong focus on gender equality.
Innovation
To foster innovation and promote diversified financial services within the microfinance sector.
Research
To conduct research aimed at introducing new knowledge and practices, identifying best practices and fostering innovation.
Capacity Building
To strengthen the capacity of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) through professional training and development.
Partnership
To become a proactive networking organization and build strategic partnerships with like-minded practitioners, networks, and apex bodies.
Social Well-being
To remain aligned with emerging discourses in microfinance, with a focus on poverty alleviation and improving social well-being through inclusion.
Adaption
To remain aligned with and adapt to emerging discourses in microfinance, with a focus on poverty alleviation and improving the social well-being of the poor through both financial and social inclusion.