This study is funded by the Governance Partnership Facility to better understand country experiences with building monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity to identify paths to success and obstacles to reform. For every country, whether recently emerging from conflict, low-income, or Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), M&E is critical to evidence-based policymaking, budget decisions, management, and accountability, all elements of good governance. Building M&E capacity in fragile and conflict-affected states is not a well-documented topic, although analysts generally agree that even in these challenging contexts, countries can set up monitoring capabilities, albeit with heavy donor support. This study aims to strengthen the knowledge base by synthesizing and comparing the experiences of Rwanda, Vietnam, and Yemen in building capacity for their recently established M&E systems. The study also draws comparisons with Mexico's more well-developed M&E system. This paper is directed to policymakers, development workers, donors, and other supporters of M&E research, operations, and activities. The author envision that providing country case studies on implementing M&E programs in difficult circumstances will contribute to a South-South knowledge exchange for key stakeholders who are working to advance newly established M&E systems in their own countries.