CIF was established in 1999 as a research and innovation center for microfinance institutions operating in West Africa. It is owned by six credit union networks (FCPB, FECECAM, FUCEC, Kafo Jiginew, Nyèsigiso and PAMECAS) and supported technically and financially by Développement internationale Desjardins (DID). Its primary and priority customers are the networks who are shareholders of CIF, but the Center also works with other credit union networks and cooperative institutions.  CIF offers services in designing and launching new products, conducting market studies, strategic planning and raising the risk capital for underwriting new product launches.  CIF is considered to be a key leader for the credit union movement in francophone Africa.

Since 2002, Freedom from Hunger and CIF have collaborated on a USAID Matching Grant, Breaking Through Barriers to Growth.  CIF has provided critical technical support to participating implementing organizations involved with the grant in West Africa.   In particular, we collaborate to help participants expand their range of products, build technological capability, develop new tools and systems to manage growth, develop new models of collaboration to increase local demand, and create marketing channels to reach large numbers of the poor.