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Air quality experts and networks from across Africa and around the world are uniting to drive collective action and cross-regional partnerships aimed at improving air quality in African cities. The 2025 Clean Air Forum, taking place in Nairobi from July 15–17, serves as a rallying point for these efforts under the theme “Partnerships for Clean Air Solutions.”
This year’s Forum, Championing Liveable Urban Environments through African Networks for Air (Clean-Air), fosters a common vision among stakeholders, supporting African cities in building sustainable urban environments. With over 300 participants—including national and local government officials, academics, startups, funders, development partners, and grassroots organizations—the Forum is a hub for dialogue and coordinated action against the growing threat of air pollution.
Organized by AirQo, a pan-African air quality research initiative housed at Makerere University, and co-hosted by Nairobi City County Government, World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa, and the Health Effects Institute, the event builds on the momentum of prior editions in Kampala (2023) and Lagos (2024). Dr. George Mwaniki, WRI Kenya Country Director and WRI Africa’s air quality lead, emphasized the Forum’s goal of encouraging collaboration and spurring innovation. He described air pollution as a critical but often overlooked public health threat in African cities.
“This Forum is now Africa’s premier platform for generating evidence, fostering innovation, and promoting equitable solutions in air quality. The theme reminds us: no single city, country, or institution can tackle this alone—we must act together,” Mwaniki said. He noted progress in regulatory frameworks, highlighting that in 2019, only two or three African countries had air quality regulations. By 2025, that number has risen to around 15, driven by increased awareness and regional collaboration. He also pointed out the deep interconnection of air quality with other urban issues like transport, waste, land use, and governance.
Technological innovation is a key focus of the Forum. Discussions showcased low-cost sensors, AI-based forecasting tools, and data platforms transforming how cities track and respond to pollution. A recent Health Effects Institute review reported that air pollution was responsible for approximately 294,000 deaths in East Africa in 2021, ranking as the region’s second leading cause of mortality, after malnutrition. Biomass fuel use and vehicle emissions remain dominant pollution sources, compounded by inadequate monitoring systems.
Prof. Bainomugisha, Director of AirQo, emphasized the need for a unified approach:
“Clean air is not a single-discipline issue, nor can anyone stakeholder fix it. Pollution doesn’t respect borders—it’s influenced by regional and even meteorological factors. This Forum helps us understand the scale of collaboration needed.”He added, “You can buy clean water—but not clean air. It’s not a commodity. It must be protected collectively.”
From the host city’s side, Ibrahim Nyongesa, Nairobi’s CECM for Mobility and Works, stressed the importance of accurate data: “No government can manage what it cannot measure. Effective air quality solutions begin with reliable, transparent, real-time data—something still lacking in many areas.”
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Nyongesa highlighted the role of emerging technologies like AI, remote sensing, and community-led platforms in filling data gaps—but also warned that tech alone isn’t enough.
“The real breakthrough lies in partnerships—between governments, researchers, innovators, and citizens. Nairobi is already working with partners to create an open, decentralized air quality data ecosystem rooted in our 2022 Air Quality Act.” He called for bold collaboration, urging all stakeholders to act urgently: “The cost of inaction is counted in lives lost, livelihoods harmed, and opportunities missed. Let’s prioritize scalable innovation and local data ownership to drive sustainable urban change.”
