The air quality stakeholders in Africa will convene in Lagos for a five-day CLEAN-Air forum to discuss the pressing issue of air pollution in the continent.

The forum is expected to attract over 300 participants from over 40 cities in 40 countries.

This was mentioned in a statement signed by Rose Alani, lead of the University of Lagos Air Quality Monitoring Research Group (AQMRG), on Friday.

The statement said the participants represent the air quality communities in practice in Africa, comprising different stakeholders, including policymakers, representatives from civil society organisations, the private sector, development partners, and the scientific communities.

It said the forum would take place from July 8 to 12.

The statement said the forum would foster knowledge sharing and transdisciplinary collaborations while emphasising the need to strengthen regional networks and multi-regional partnerships for sustained interventions for clean air in African cities.

AirQo, a pan-African research initiative at Makerere University, Uganda, organises the forum.

It added that it would be hosted by the Air Quality Monitoring Research Group (AQMRG) and EUEPiN from the University of Lagos, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and UrbanBetter, among other stakeholders.

It added that the forum built on the success of its inaugural event in Kampala, Uganda, in 2023, which brought together participants from over 31 cities worldwide.

“A study from the Global Burden of Disease indicates that air pollution is responsible for around 1.1 million deaths annually in Africa. It has become the second leading cause of death on the continent, largely due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.

“However, air quality experts point out that Africa lacks the resources and capacity to develop and implement effective measures to address air pollution in its cities,” the statement said.

The statement said the week-long forum would feature plenary sessions discussing evidence-informed policy development for air quality management in African cities, health impacts of air pollution, and knowledge-sharing sessions to advance science-policy interface and public awareness of air quality.

Babatunde Ajayi, the general manager of LASEPA, said, “Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and Africa’s largest megacity, and with its rapid urbanisation comes various challenges. We are committed to addressing air quality issues in the city.

“Together with our partners from the University of Lagos, we have installed an air quality monitoring network to provide real-time data on the status of air quality in Lagos. With this data, we have reliable information that we are using to inform sustainable interventions to improve the quality of air in Lagos.”

The statement also stated that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will participate in the forum.

Abimbola Akinajo, LAMATA boss, said, “At LAMATA, we are committed to transforming urban mobility in Lagos. The transport sector plays a vital role in air quality, and our participation in the CLEAN-Air Forum underscores our dedication to sustainable transport solutions.”

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the managing director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, explained that the agency was committed to implementing effective waste management strategies that keep Lagos clean and significantly improve air quality.

“Proper waste management is crucial in reducing pollutants and ensuring a healthier environment for all. Our involvement in the CLEAN-Air forum highlights our commitment to innovative solutions and collaborative efforts that drive sustainable development and protect our communities from the adverse effects of air pollution,” Mr Gbadegesin said.

(NAN)