The Pan-African Scientific Research Council’s main goals are to promote research, career development, and policy & public engagement among African and/or Africa-focused researchers and professionals. The Council’s thematic areas are social sciences; biomedical sciences; agricultural, energy, and environmental sciences; and applied mathematics, computer science, and statistics.

Research efforts focus on promoting scientific advancement in Africa by encouraging increased productivity among Council members and giving visibility to knowledge produced within the Council. The Council publishes Research Agendas that reflect the pressing needs that the African continent faces, and cultivates a space for its members to collaborate to generate research on these issues. It also leverages its website, events and upcoming journal, Mwendo – the Journal of the PASRC, to disseminate and elevate research produced by Council members.

Career development efforts are aimed at developing the skills of Council members. The Council's goal is to provide mentorship and career development workshops for young scholars, as well as more established ones in an attempt to strengthen the African scientific community of today and tomorrow.

Policy and public engagement efforts are aimed at policymakers, the private sector and youth. The Council will bring its members’ research findings to policymakers in an attempt to influence evidence-based policymaking on the African continent. Similarly, it will bring cutting-edge research to the private sector in Africa in an attempt to bolster businesses and industries. Engagement with youth will focus on promoting scientific pursuits among African youth through activities such as scientific competitions and talks by Council researchers.