Countries in Africa have in the recent past focused on improving phytosanitary regulations and policy to strengthen plant health. At regional level, the AU Plant Health Strategy (2022 to 2036) envisions a robust, practical management system to produce healthy plants for all Africans and a mission to strengthen national plant health systems, ensure food and nutrition security, and improved safe trade. To achieve this, it underscores the importance of shared responsibilities, collaboration, and robust monitoring and evaluation to reach a sustainable Plant health system in Africa. In this region, gaps and challenges in phytosanitary research include limited funding and resources, inadequate research infrastructure, and the need for greater collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in areas such as weak phytosanitary regulatory frameworks, early warning and preparedness for invasive pest species and their management, climate change, and limited technologies for the diagnosis of plant health challenges. Building global phytosanitary research coordination will enhance processes and mechanisms to facilitate international collaboration on common plant health research priorities, and to increase communication on national and regional plant health research activities and their outputs. Increased collaboration and communication will result in better coordinated actions among those that perform research and use research outputs to improve the plant health system. 

CABI, in collaboration with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), AU InterAfrican Phytosanitary Council (AU IAPSC), EUPHRESCO Network Office is organizing a consultation workshop on Phytosanitary Research in Africa to share information on successes and best practices on phytosanitary research. The workshop will be held on 19-22 August 2025 and its objectives are:
1. Map the current status of phytosanitary research in Africa
2. Validate phytosanitary research priorities
3. Identify challenges and opportunities for funding phytosanitary research
4. Co-create a roadmap for phytosanitary research collaboration in Africa