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This learning brief presents insights and lessons learned from a capacity development programme on water security and climate resilient development covering eight countries in Africa – Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. The programme engaged some 140 participants and 30 lecturers/mentors, and held over 50 workshops. Large investments were made in the development of learning material in three languages (English, French and Portuguese), the establishment of national management and lecturing units, and building a strong sense of programme ownership in each country. 

The purpose of the programme was to develop the capacity of planners and technical officers in government departments to be able to identify, develop and appraise so-called no/low regret investment options and to integrate these into national, transboundary and regional development planning processes. The capacity to promote water security and integrate climate change considerations into national planning processes is still limited in most of the eight countries. However, following the implementation of this programme, much has been learned by individual participants, their home institutions, and engaged lecturers, and there are now many ongoing initiatives that promote the inclusion of climate change considerations in national development efforts. 

The authors of this Learning Brief conclude with the following main lessons:

• With strong national ownership of programme activities, those engaged in each country gained a strong sense of pride in and responsibility for programme activities.
• By having programme management located in each country, it is possible to close the gap between training and participants’ work duties.