This study reviews unconditional cash transfers in 15 countries of east and southern Africa, examines four programmes in more depth (in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zambia), and draws lessons for policy from this comparative review. The methodology is qualitative; this report does not provide a quantitative analysis of these programmes. Since unconditional cash transfers are a relatively new policy instrument in Africa, several knowledge gaps exist. Specifically, rigorous impact assessments, comparative cost-benefit analyses (e.g. of cash transfers versus food aid and other in-kind transfers), and monitoring of intra-household spending patterns (especially by gender), are lacking and are urgently needed.