The integration of early warning systems with air quality management is becoming increasingly crucial in addressing the growing challenge of air pollution, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Africa. This was the key takeaway during a science policy dialogue on air pollution and early warning for Africa at the regional consultative meeting of UNEP major stakeholder groups in Africa.
The event, organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in partnership with the UNEP regional office for Africa, was held on 13 June 2025 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on the sidelines of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20).
The dialogue brought together over 30 stakeholders from across Africa to discuss ways of integrating air quality and climate information for urban resilience, focusing on the cities of Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Kampala.
Air pollution in Africa
Air pollution is the fourth leading cause of death globally, responsible for approximately 7 million deaths annually, with around 1.1 million deaths occurring in Africa. In African urban centers like Nairobi, Kampala and Addis Ababa, high population growth rates, increased motorization, reliance on biomass fuels, industrial expansion, and inadequate waste management practices are driving severe air pollution episodes. These risks are compounded by the effects of climate variability, such as heat waves and prolonged droughts, which particularly affect vulnerable populations. While Africa’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is estimated to be less than 5%, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate change impacts.
Studies show that air quality strategies implemented in Africa have predominantly targeted indoor air pollution (83%), with a smaller focus on outdoor air pollution (17%). Policies constitute 20% of these strategies, while technology makes up 75% and education strategies only 5%. This highlights a need for more balanced and comprehensive approaches.
Early warning systems
As discussed in the dialogue, early warning systems are crucial for disaster risk reduction, providing timely and effective information to enable individuals and communities to prepare and respond to hazardous events. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, implemented by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in partnership with the United Nations in countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, aims to protect every person with a multi-hazard early warning system by 2027. This initiative is built upon four foundational pillars: disaster risk knowledge; observation and forecasting; preparedness and response capabilities; and communication and dissemination.
Calistus Wachana, a User Engagement Expert at ICPAC, said that the Regional Framework for Climate Services (RFCS) acts as an enabler of the four EW4All pillars by providing an institutional mechanism to coordinate, facilitate and strengthen collaboration among regional and national institutions. He said the collaborations would lead to improved development, delivery and use of science-based climate predictions and services.
Tracking urban air pollution
Integrating air quality information into early warning systems offers a powerful defense against the health and environmental impacts of air pollution. This integration enables cities to issue timely alerts during pollution peaks, plan responsive health interventions, and design long-term mitigation strategies.
In Nairobi, Kenya, where vehicles account for 40% of PM2.5 emissions, an expanded air quality monitoring network provides real-time data to support policy, legislative, and regulatory interventions. Lawrence Mukuru, the deputy Director of Environment at Nairobi City County, said the county government had set up an air quality monitoring network with 85 low-cost sensors installed across the city.
The city aims to provide real-time data and forecasts, issuing health advisories and facilitating research to support policy decisions like zoning.
Lawrence Mukuru, Deputy Director of Environment at Nairobi City County
In Kampala, Uganda, Dr. Walyomo Richard, a public health specialist at the Kampala Capital City Authority, revealed that the city consistently exceeds the WHO-recommended safe air quality levels. These recommendations state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15 µg/m3 more than 3-4 days per year. Even though the city had developed a clean air action plan, emissions are still very high, with the transport sector emerging as the major cause of air pollution.
Similar trends were observed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tibebu Assefa, Regional Technical Advisor on Air Quality for East Africa at C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, demonstrated the city’s air pollution status. He showed PM2.5 levels were found to almost triple WHO guidelines daily, and more than 8 times annually. Like Nairobi and Kampala, Addis Ababa’s transport sector was also the biggest contributor to air pollution.
Continental and national collaborations to address air quality
Beyond general air pollution, specific pollutants like methane require targeted interventions. The last three editions of AMCEN had called for the reduction of non-CO2 emissions, including methane. In this regard, Environmental Compliance Institute (ECI) is leading the African Methane Community of Practice (AMCoP). This is an Africa-led network dedicated to promoting, supporting and accelerating actions for mitigating non-CO2 emissions, specifically focusing on methane management across the agriculture, energy and waste sectors.
Speaking during the dialogue, SEI Programme Leader Anderson Kehbila noted SEI’s efforts in the Africa Clean Air Programme (ACAP) and Clean Air for Enhanced Urban Climate Resilience in Africa Cities: Nairobi, Kampala and Addis Ababa projects. Through these, SEI works in partnership with UNEP and other partners to address the critical challenges of inadequate air quality monitoring and data deficiencies by providing air quality sensors and communicating data to policy makers.
Dr. Cromwel Lukorito, the Vice Chair of IPCC Working Group II, emphasized the importance of documenting and showcasing research findings, particularly for inclusion in IPCC reports. He specifically encouraged early career researchers to present their work and collected data at global forums to increase visibility and impact.
Recommendations moving forward
The dialogue highlighted the need for collaboration with meteorological departments as part of the early warning systems. It also highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to air quality across various sectors like health and transport and advocated for the inclusion of urban planners in discussions to foster the development of sustainable cities. Citizen science also emerged as a significant avenue for educating the public and raising awareness about air pollution, emphasizing a people-centric approach to solutions.
Project / This project will build scientific evidence and knowledge platforms for urban air quality and climate resilience.
Project / The project supports the development of an Africa Clean Air Program continental roadmap and implementation plans.
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Project / This project strengthens Somalia’s national air quality governance through policy development and targeted capacity building
Past event / This workshop provides the technical and financial expertise needed to turn ambitious goals into practical implementation for Nigeria's private sector.
