In 1995, twenty-five microfinance practitioners from three continents, viz., Asia, Africa, and Latin America established the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI) in Peru. It was registered under the Dutch law and primarily headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands. Currently INAFI International Secretariat is located in Dakar, Senegal. INAFI, a network of 300 NGOs/MFIs operating in three continents, continues to have twofold commitment to development; every INAFI members are highly dedicated to the eradication of the root causes of poverty and secondly, INAFI members are committed to implement individual programs. INAFI members are as distinct from each other as the countries they work in. They differ in context, outreach, service delivery mechanisms and structure. Some only provide microfinance services; others have added technical assistance and training programs, while others still manage integrated social development programs. Some provide direct financial intermediation while others assume promotional roles and support self-help groups and are putting them in contact with banks or other lending organizations.
INAFI International implements the international program and facilitates the activities of the continental activities through three regional secretariats: Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each region is a semi-autonomous body and has its own Executive Council and Executive Director. The Regional Secretariats manage the day-to-day operations in the countries of their region and facilitate the co-ordination among them as well as with the International Secretariat. INAFI Asia is working through establishing four national secretariats: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Philippines. However INAFI Asia Secretariat is hosted by INAFI Bangladesh located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
INAFI Bangladesh started it operations in 2003 registering from NGO Affairs Bureau under the foreign Donation Act 1978 in 2003 and from Joint Stock Companies & Firms under the Societies Act XXI of 1860 in 2004.
