At the close of a 15-year regional programme to build institutional capacity for wetland resources management in West Africa, it was deemed essential to extract and review the lessons learned through this experience. This publication stems from the findings of a study carried out to analyse the experience as a whole and shed light on the successes, shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses of the programme as implemented. The ultimate goal is to organize the knowledge acquired through practice in such as way as to provide a practical methodology and confirmed approach to all those who wish to understand the issues involved in wetland conservation and development and to actively seek solutions.