Across Africa, the gap between policy design and effective implementation remains one of the most persistent barriers to development progress. While significant resources are invested in policy formulation, the institutional capacity required to translate policies into measurable outcomes often receives inadequate attention. This article explores the critical elements of institutional capacity building that enable effective policy implementation, from human resource development and organisational systems design to monitoring frameworks and stakeholder coordination mechanisms. We present evidence-based approaches drawn from our work with governments and development partners across the continent.