A framework for integrated river basin management was designed in consultation with African managers in 1990–1991. It was used as a training guide at five regional seminars organized in 1992–1993 by the Large River Management Project of the Francophone Summit (Paris). It begins with an extensive documentation phase to produce an integrated diagnosis of the river basin, moves into a planning phase and ends with an action and monitoring phase. Integrated river basin management is feasible but the real challenge lies with the lack of information and the need for a people-oriented approach.