Posted on mer, 14 Jan 2026, 10:29

Deadline on ven, 13 Fév 2026, 23:59

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat invites African countries to express their interest in participating in the third phase of implementation of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP).

The objective of the APP is to improve early detection of pests and to position national and regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs and RPPOs) to prepare for, respond to, and recover from plant pest outbreaks in a timely manner. The APP aims to strengthen phytosanitary systems across Africa, enhance compliance with international standards, and promote safe trade of plants and plant products.

Building on the achievements of previous phases, the third phase of the African Phytosanitary Programme will place a strong emphasis on advancing the implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) across participating countries. It will also prioritize capacity building for National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), equipping them with the skills and tools necessary for effective pest surveillance and early warning systems. A key innovation in this phase will be the digitalization of plant pest data collection, enabling more efficient and accurate reporting and analysis.

Furthermore, the programme will foster regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, creating a platform for countries to exchange best practices, harmonize approaches, and strengthen collective phytosanitary resilience.

Eligibility

This call is open to African countries which are not yet members of APP and who are committed to improving their plant pest surveillance systems and actively engaging in regional cooperation.

Minimum Requirements for Participation

To ensure effective participation in the programme, countries should have:

• Reliable communication facilities, including internet access and supporting infrastructures;
• Adequate human resources, with a National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) staffed at least 50 well-trained field officers who are skilled in pest surveillance, identification, and diagnostic procedures and protocols;
• Transportation resources to enable field surveys to be carried out efficiently;
• Logistical and administrative support to provide the necessary supplies and systems for national field operations.

How to Apply

Interested countries which are not yet in the APP should submit an official letter to the IPPC Secretariat expressing their willingness to join the third phase of the APP, outlining:

• The country’s technical and financial commitments to secure the APP activities
• Updated status of the national phytosanitary systems
• List of three (3) national phytosanitary experts who will be national trainers
• Nomination of one IT/GIS national expert to provide technical support
• Expected benefits and contributions to the programme

The letter of expression of interest must be signed by the Minister in charge of Agriculture and submitted to the IPPC Secretariat by the IPPC official contact point.

Deadline for Submission

The submission should be sent to the IPPC Secretariat ([email protected] ) with copy to Descartes Koumba ([email protected]) by 13 February 2026.