By Vivian Onyebukwa
Available records show that about 2.5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of air pollution. That was the basis of a recent gathering of experts in Lagos for ‘The Clean Air Forum’ with the theme ‘Advancing Collaborations and Multi-Regional Partnerships for Clean Air Actions in African Cities’.
Attended by over 80 policy makers from different African cities and countries, the well-attended event underscored the growing concern about air quality in Africa. It was organized by the Lagos State government in collaboration with AirQo, which provided a platform for collaboration, information sharing, and exploring the latest data, and solutions to ensure clean air in African cities.
It was configured around four key objectives which included the provision of a platform to foster collaboration between African countries and cities to share best practices, knowledge, resources, technology, and innovation for tackling air pollution. To identify avenues for enhancing capacity on data collection and monitoring to better understand pollution sources and trends for optimising air quality. The first day kicked off with two sessions:
The policy dialogue and the journalist-scientist dialogue, establishing a strong foundation for the week-long forum. During the journalist-scientist dialogue, journalists gained a comprehensive understanding of the nature and extent of air pollution in Africa, enhancing their ability to report on its key sources, impacts, and viable solutions. The session provided an opportunity to discuss a diverse portfolio of story ideas, focusing on sources of air pollution and health impacts.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in his welcome speech, reiterated the government’s resolve to implement policies that address air pollution and other climate challenges impacting public health. He urged participants, as stakeholders, to develop a suitable policy framework to tackle the persistent air pollution in Africa.
The governor reaffirmed his government’s commitment to combating all environmental threats. He welcomed recommendations from forum experts on improving air quality and pointed to the state’s agenda, which prioritizes environmental sustainability alongside health and the environment.
Dr. Tunde Ajayi, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), described the forum as a powerful testament to the collective efforts and collaborations for clean air, and reiterated LASEPA’s commitments to tackling air pollution. Ajayi further stated that the forum calls for more consciousness for advocacy, stating the need for transparency and agreement to include more people to drive the agenda of clean air further.
Prof. Bainomugisha, the AirQo Lead who is also an engineer, noted that this year’s forum, the second in the series in Lagos was aimed at taking stock of the progress made since the inaugural forum in Kampala, Uganda while also fostering knowledge sharing and collaborations.
The United States, Lagos State government, AirQo, and other partners, also pledged their support in solving the problem of air pollution on the African continent and the world.
In his remarks, United States Consul General, Lagos, Will Stevens, reaffirmed the commitment of the US, and his enthusiasm over the large turnout from across Africa for the forum, which highlighted the importance of collaboration. “Ensuring clean air is a massive challenge. It’s uplifting to see participants from across Africa coming together to forge and share innovative solutions. This kind of collaboration is key to tackling this global issue.”
Acting Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Jennifer R. Littlejohn while speaking, described air pollution as one of the most critical health threats around the world, particularly in Africa’s rapidly growing cities. “Experience tells us, however, that we can make great progress if we are smart and if we work together. This is more than simply a paperwork exercise. It’s the first global commitment to establish a regional coordination effort to tackle air pollution. This means that more money and more attention will be devoted to cleaning air pollution cooperatively.” The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and the host, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, commended all stakeholders, partners, collaborators, and participants for coming together to chart a way forward towards ensuring clean air on the African continent.
She acknowledged the importance of collective action in addressing the challenge of air pollution. Represented by Prof. L.O. Chukwu, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) University of Lagos, Prof. Ogunsola outlined the university’s commitment to supporting research, education, and community engagement that promotes environmental sustainability and public health.
“We believe that clean air is a fundamental right, and we must work together to ensure that future generations inherit a healthier and more sustainable environment.”
Similarly, Dr. Rose Alani, the project lead for Air Quality Monitoring Research Group, University of Lagos shared progress report on ongoing air quality research collaborations driven by data and participatory implementation.
She stated that through the project, more than 30 low-cost sensors and three reference monitors have been in Lagos. Earlier, one of the keynote speakers, Dr. Rebecca Nantanda from the Makerere Lung Institute, emphasized the critical need for integrated air quality management strategies across African cities. She noted that effective waste management is a cornerstone of these strategies.
Experts from various cities shared their insights on leveraging data for air quality action. They highlighted unique approaches and solutions, emphasizing the importance of sustained monitoring, use of data and innovative technologies to inform policy decisions to tackle air pollution related challenges. Farah Kazi, Project Manager EPIC Air Quality Fund, shared insights about the significant health burden of air pollution in Africa and Asia.
She said whereas air quality monitoring is a good first step, sustained monitoring proves more effective, providing the necessary foundation for actionable solutions. The report emphasized that local actors in various African countries are well-positioned to bridge these data gaps. While discussing leveraging various types of data for air quality research, Dr. Allison Hughes, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, emphasized the critical importance of considering the economic impacts of air pollution, despite the limited access to air quality data.
He explained that low-cost sensors can help overcome obstacles related to air pollution monitoring, such as high costs and the need for capacity building, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of research and policy initiatives. Martha Mugarura, the Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Planning in Uganda presented data and policy perspectives from Uganda’s urban sector, highlighting the common climate change challenges that are impacting Kampala city. As a solution, she proposed implementing smart city solutions that utilize digital technologies to enhance sustainability and efficiency. These solutions aim to address climate change challenges more effectively and promote resilient urban development in Uganda.
The session presented different uses of low-cost sensors and data technologies in African cities while underscoring the need for a reliable quality assurance pipeline for data. Case studies were presented by Prof. Dan Westervelt, Richard Serunjogi, Dr. Alfred S. Bockarie, and Dr. Fagbeja Mofoluso, looking at several deployments including Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the 16 networks managed by AirQo.
Ibrahim Auma Nyangoya CECM, Green Nairobi, Nairobi City County, joined during the reception to launch the new interface of the AirQo Analytics, a custom digital platform facilitating access to air quality data and uptake for action against air pollution in Africa’s urban spaces. The analytics platform provides real-time, historical and daily forecast air quality data enabling individuals, policy makers and regulated facilities to tackle air pollution-related challenges.
Way Forward
In proffering solutions to air pollution, different suggestions were made by the resource persons. The Head of Environmental Health Research, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana, Dr. Sulemana Abubakari, said provision of reasonably subsidised alternatives such as cooking gas to the citizens would help reduce environmental pollution in the continent. He argued that through such governmental intervention more Africans who still use charcoal and firewood would be persuaded to stop. He advised the government to enact policies that would help to provide cheaper alternatives to the populace instead of wrong prioritization. The researcher pointed out that it was incumbent on African countries to become more environmentally-friendly, noting that as the only way to prevent the devastating effect of a mismanaged environment. The keynote remarks from LASEPA and University of Lagos, Prof. Abraham Osinubi preceded a panel discussion that examined existing air quality policy landscape in different African contexts with case studies from Nairobi City County, Ghana, Ethiopia, Port Louis, Mauritius, Douala City, Uganda and Lagos State.
The policy dialogue focused on co-creating strategies to enhance the integration and utilization of air quality data in policy-making processes across African cities and countries. These discussions aimed to identify and promote evidence-based approaches that can effectively address air quality challenges, ensuring healthier urban environments in Africa’s urban cities.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi while speaking, harped on the importance of adequate information dissemination to the people on the risk of a certain level of air quality to be able to protect themselves. “Government is reducing taxes on solar panels. Fossil fuel is getting more expensive; generators are more expensive, so it makes sense for you to convert to renewable energy, which now reduces air pollution.” On his part, Dr. Bolajoko Malomo of the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, noted that Nigeria’s population is growing rapidly with much industrialization, including an increase in the use of vehicles and vehicular movements, causing emission of fumes. He said that efforts to check air pollution are on-going in the state but a lot needs to be done. He said the event was significant as it reawakened the consciousness of participants to sensitize the populace on the importance of environmental health.
He lamented the effect of poor air quality which he said, causes illnesses such as cancer, respiratory diseases, among others. He therefore urged the media to take on the challenge of better sensitization of the public on the dangers of air pollution to human health.
Community-led initiatives were also a focal point, showcasing the critical role of local communities in raising awareness about air pollution and participating in solution-finding efforts. UrbanBetter led a presentation demonstrating a community-led initiative that used physical exercise activities to establish a network of air quality monitoring stations in neighborhoods, providing citizens with real-time data on air quality. Also, Bimbo Esther Osobe, the President of Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, an Affiliate of Slum Dwellers International, stated that the organisation has been creating awareness on air quality. “People need a lot of sensitisation.
In most of our communities, we use firewood. All these have grave effects, so we go on sensitisation to tell them the effects. We can improve air quality in the communities through community engagement and dialogue.”
The forum’s scientific programming concluded with a stock taking of participatory initiatives from various cities. The session featured presentations from Kisumu City, Accra, Yaoundé, and a case study from Mexico City, highlighting the progress made since the Kampala forum in 2023. These presentations emphasized the importance of capacity development and community involvement in policy development and implementation.