IAPSC is the Regional Plant Protection Organization (RPPO) for Africa and is the coordinating body for the 55 National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) in Africa.

IAPSC is one of the Specialized Technical Offices of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture within the African Union Commission. IAPSC is also a contracting party to the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC).

As an RPPO, IAPSC promotes the development and use of relevant adopted International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and encourages inter-regional cooperation in promoting harmonized phytosanitary measures for controlling pests and in preventing their spread and/or introduction on the continent.

IAPSC achieves these mandates and roles within the continent through advocacy and capacity building at continental level and plays a major role in harmonization of regulatory and management strategies for emerging plant health and plant pest challenges in Africa.