"Today, we have funders, a strong in-house team and partners. And together, we collaborate, conceptualize and develop innovative solutions for enabling DBT, financial inclusion and financial literacy. We conduct research studies to understand and analyse factors that could possibly lead to greater adoption and use of digital services by the poor.

There is no dearth of ideas and we know there are many challenges, but we believe tomorrow beckons us with huge opportunities."

Centre for Digital
Financial Inclusion

Centre for Digital Financial Inclusion, an independent centre established in 2014 under the Institute of Financial Management Research (IFMR), Chennai, is focussed on developing and scaling new innovations and creating an enabling environment for expanding access to digital financial products and services. The centre aims to build a self-sustainable ecosystem driven through technology enabling a range of financial services and benefits accessible to the under-serviced, excluded and poorer sections of society.

In the words of the Executive Director

Colleagues in CDFI may have cause to feel nostalgic about a particular coffee house in South Delhi. It was out of this shop that one operated the ‘office’ in early days. As the idea of CDFI was taking shape, I would meet contacts here, gathering ideas, strategizing approaches, et al. Still looking for some office space, I would ask prospective team members over for a meeting here – to tell them (before telling others) what our organization meant to do, persuade them to share its vision and join our journey. We were brimming with ideas. We wanted to be a thought leader and work on innovation and research projects – all at once. A little over two years into the journey, we have come a long way but much more needs to be done. And we are working on all areas that we set out for.