The Fundamental Institute of Black Africa (IFAN) was created in August 1936, by Order No. 1945 / E of the Governor General of French West Africa (AOF), Jules Brevié, and the post of Secretary General was occupied by Theodore Monod who takes office in Dakar from July 1938.
Federal Research Institute, he was established in Dakar (capital of the AOF) with local centers in the different territories: St. Louis, Abidjan, Bamako, Cotonou, Niamey , Ouagadougou, associated centers (Douala and Lome) and bases (Atar, Diafarbe, Mont-Nimba).