The concept of social capital provided a helpful framework in which to describe the development of a pilot programme to promote inclusive education within Zanzibar. This had involved 20 schools and was supported by an international donor working through a local non‐governmental organisation in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Evaluative interviews were conducted with over 30 stakeholders as part of a video production describing the programme. Thematic content analysis identified four main themes that underpinned the programme's success, namely: parents, local communities, community‐based rehabilitation and health services, and schools. Within each theme, there were various examples of the three processes posited for building social capital: bonding, bridging and linking. By contrast, some of these themes and processes have been less emphasised in more affluent countries, where greater reliance has been placed on financial capital to fund additional resources within schools and educational systems. As this approach becomes no longer sustainable, greater attention will need to be paid to the creation of social capital in attaining more inclusive schools.