The study draws on relational philosophy, ontology and learning theory to investigate the role of networking in professional and institutional development in a SADC environmental education course development network. The study provides new direction for adult professional development programmes in Africa. The study reveals that there a number of necessary (internal) and contingent (external) factors that enable or constrain networking, professional development and institutionalisation of environmental education courses. The findings of the study informed the United Nations environment and sustainability education programme for higher education in Africa.