This case study series presents the evolution in national capacities and systems for anticipating drought in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. They outline key results from the first phase (2019-2022) of the Multi-country programme on scaling-up anticipatory action for food security (MCP-AA4FS Phase I), funded by the regional Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), to reduce the impact of drought on food security and livelihoods. This comparative analysis highlights common trends, key best practices, and lessons learned over the past three years of this programme, as significant advances have been made in national forecasting capacities, early warning systems, developing Anticipatory Action Plans (AAPs), defining linkages to social protection systems, and establishing and strengthening national communities of practice for anticipatory action.