Microfinance provides financial and non-financial services to small businesses and aims to reduce poverty and contribute to economic development. It differs from other types of financing by being information-based, funding all or parts of business cycles, and providing financing tied to both customers and their activities. Microfinance institutions act as intermediaries between those with surplus income and those with deficits by pooling small savings amounts and providing larger loans. However, microfinance faces challenges including lack of legal frameworks, high taxes and costs, insufficient guarantees, weak project monitoring, and producers' issues with marketing and materials.