The challenge to achieve Universal Basic Education by 2015 is most acutely felt in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the next decade millions of extra teachers will be needed whilst, in parallel, the qualification upgrading of existing teachers will need to proceed apace. In this context a wide range of new, usually school based, teacher education programmes are being placed using information and communications technology and open and distance learning methodologies. The World Bank has commissioned the Open University (UK) RITES* group and the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE) to research and develop a planning and costing tool in the development of new programmes. The costing tool is intended to enable policy makers, planners and funding agencies determine more accurately the total costs of different modes of distance education, including the use of various technologies. It will include software capable of making cost calculations based on alternative scenarios. With the information, decision-makers will be able to understand the cost implications of different learning models at both institutional and national levels. The tool will not only provide information on proposed investments, it will also help in evaluating past investments and thus support national policy discussions with specific evidence. Made possible by funding of approximately $250,000 from the Ireland Aid Trust Fund for Education in Africa and the Norwegian Distance Education Trust fund at the World Bank, the costing tool is being developed for the World Bank by OU-UK and SAIDE following an international tendering process. When complete, the exercise will make available a comprehensive costing toolkit for distance education planners comprising of a sophisticated, but simple-to-use costing database, extensive planning and financial documentation for planners and decision-makers. The methodology includes a select number of case studies based on Sub-Saharan Africa institutions providing face to face and distance education programs for teacher development and support.