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The regulation of microfinance activities in the 1990s in the WAEMU area appeared necessary with the appearance and rapid development of structures specializing in small savings and microcredit. It enabled the establishment of monitoring, control, and supervision bodies as well as a strengthening of criminal and financial penalties for actors in the sector. At the same time, support and monitoring of existing or authorized microfinance institutions were set up in each Member State by the ministers in charge of finance and social affairs. This article presents the history and the regulatory measures in place, as well as the necessary reforms for better protection of microfinance activities in this space. JEL Codes: K22, K24, G18, G21, G28, L51