The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expires in 2023, and will be succeeded by a new programme focused on strengthening higher education (HE) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Africa, the Middle East, and in parts Latin America and Asia. In addition to OKP-specific evaluations, this is a good moment to reassess the broader nature, value and purpose of donor-funded interventions in HE and TVET. This will help to design a programme which fits the current global context and contributes towards building more effective and resilient education systems. This is especially important given the shifts in the HE/TVET landscape and national development priorities due to COVID-19.

This report reviews capacity development programmes in HE/TVET, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, given the region’s priority in Dutch development cooperation and the focus and expertise of the INCLUDE platform and network. In terms of scope, this is by no means a thorough analysis of all programmes and collaborations in the region. Rather, the goal is to provide insight into the main debates surrounding these partnerships and programmes (Part 1), support these with evidence and examples, and capture voices and perspectives from African institutions on what is needed moving forward (Part 2). Part 3 summarises the key findings, reflections and considerations for capacity development programmes for Dutch (and other) donors going forward.