This discussion paper was prepared following UNIFEM's sub-regional Consultations on gender equality and aid effectiveness held in various countries in Africa in 2006-2007 (Burundi in July 2006, Djibouti in November 2006, Ghana in November 2006 and Zambia in July 2007). The consultations brought together representatives from governments, donor partners and civil society to share experiences and explore strategies for advancing gender equality goals in the new aid environment. Participants highlighted the lack of capacity of gender equality advocates to effectively engage in new aid modality policy and planning processes on the one hand, and the lack of capacity of finance and planning officials to effectively incorporate the gender implications of the new aid modalities in policy formulation on the other.