The first phase of the Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP) ended on 31 July 2014 after 6 years of implementation. CDS was involved from the outset. Research programmes on rural roads and rural transport services were established in seven countries in Africa, and a number of regional projects implemented. AFCAP received a A++ scores in DFID annual programme reviews conducted in 2012 and 2013 and was recognised at the 2013 British Expertise International Awards, announced in March 2013, where AFCAP won the “Outstanding International Collaboration” award. CDS was responsible for the techncial oversight of all AFCAP research projects in the engineering aspects of rural access through the Techncial Managers Robert Geddes and Nkululeko Leta.