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.