Africa’s battle against air pollution has taken a significant leap forward with initiatives funded by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) to 12 groundbreaking projects around the world with eight dotted across the African continent to improve air quality monitoring and access to critical data.

These projects, part of EPIC’s Air Quality Fund, aim to bridge Africa’s severe data gaps, empowering policymakers and communities to take action against pollution—recognized as the number one global health risk.

The Urgency of Action

Air pollution is the world’s top environmental health threat, cutting life expectancy more than malaria, HIV/AIDS and traffic accidents combined. In 2021, it caused 8.1 million deaths—700,000 of them children under five.

Despite these alarming statistics, 40% of countries worldwide do not produce open-air quality data, leaving citizens unaware of the pollution they breathe daily. The newly funded EPIC projects seek to change that reality.

The 2024 State of Global Air Quality Funding report highlights that foreign aid for fossil fuel projects quadrupled in one year while funding for clean air initiatives remains insufficient.

Bridging the Data Gap

EPIC’s Clean Air Program has awarded funding to 12 projects globally, with eight in Africa. This initiative, backed by Open Philanthropy, Alpha Epsilon, and other donors, aims to expand air quality data access to 1 billion people by 2030.

Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and Director of EPIC believes that “Opacity and lack of data are pollution’s best friend. Data is needed by policymakers to develop and enforce air quality standards so progress can be measured over time. These organizations have the power to launch this change.” - Michael Greenstone, Director of EPIC

The first 12 of 26 awarded projects emerged from a competitive pool of 322 applications across 74 countries, primarily from regions with high pollution and scarce resources. Over the next 18 months, these initiatives will strengthen air quality infrastructure, promote open data sharing, and drive national-level action on pollution across 16 countries by 2026.

New Air Quality Monitoring Initiatives in Africa

The eight Africa-based projects will be the first of their kind in some countries, marking a major step toward closing critical air quality data gaps. Among them:

Côte d’Ivoire – Centre Ivoirien Anti-Pollution, led by Ossey Bernard YAPO

The Centre Ivoirien Anti-Pollution is launching a nationwide air quality monitoring network in Abidjan and Korhogo, deploying 10 low-cost monitors. This data will guide policy reforms, enhance national air quality standards, and create an early warning system to cut PM2.5 emissions by 30-40%.

"This will strengthen our national air quality observation network. It will also provide a platform for awareness raising among all stakeholders and enhanced actions on air quality at the national level." – Bernard Ossey Yapo, Director

Liberia – United Methodist University

The Clean Air for Liberia project, led by United Methodist University, will establish the country’s first long-term PM2.5 monitoring system, installing 20 low-cost sensors and a reference-grade monitor. It will also push for Liberia’s first national air quality standard.

"This project is not just about monitoring – it’s about creating systemic change for a healthier and cleaner Liberia. We aim to empower policymakers, raise public awareness." – Sheck Sherif, Project Lead

Malawi – Malawi Initiative for Clean Air Solutions led by Collins Gameli Hodoli and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences

Two initiatives—by the Malawi Initiative for Clean Air Solutions and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences—will install 50 monitors across five cities, delivering real-time PM2.5 data for public health and policy action.

“Growing up with kerosene lamps with no knowledge of its impact on my health then is not an experience any child should have. This notwithstanding, there are many children in Africa today going through similar ordeal and/ or worse. I believe we can correct this by using the little we know in air pollution science if we collaboratively work towards our common air.” - Collins Gameli Hodoli, Founder, Malawi Initiative for Clean Air Solutions; Air Quality Scientist and Diplomatic Strategist

“We do hope to provide data on PM2.5 for Malawi which is very scarce.” - Chikumbusko Chiziwa Kaonga, PhD - MUBAS EPIC Air Quality Project Team Leader

Mozambique – BLAZE project

The BLAZE project aims to update national air quality standards and push for stronger enforcement policies through a new monitoring network.

“BLAZE aims to be at the center of an open air quality ecosystem in Mozambique, bringing together all available data to inform national air quality standards and support their enforcement.” - Herminio Cossa, Project Lead, CISM

Nigeria – Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and Nigerian Institute of Medical Research

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority is deploying 30 air quality monitors to support emission control policies, while the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research will install 20 additional monitors in Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan to drive national regulations.

"Reducing carbon emissions is crucial as transportation remains a major contributor to climate change. In support of Lagos' 2050 Net Zero Climate Action Plan, we are committed to sustainability through data-driven initiatives." - Engr (Mrs.) Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director / CEO Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)

"By demonstrating that air quality significantly affects health, we seek to integrate it into national health conversations and policy decisions." - Adetoun Mustapha, Principal Investigator, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research

Zimbabwe – Kgotso Development Trust

The Kgotso Development Trust will set up the nation’s first real-time air quality monitoring network with 35 low-cost sensors, providing public access to pollution data for the first time.

“With support from EPIC Air Quality Fund, we will be able to establish for the first time a real-time air quality monitoring network across Zimbabwe. The network will go a long way in increasing public awareness about air pollution as well as supporting the development of mitigation strategies towards clean air.” - Newton Matandirotya, Team Leader, Kgotso Development Trust

Despite evidence that air quality monitoring leads to cleaner air, almost a third of countries—many with severe pollution—lack open data. Of the 16 nations receiving support, over half have no public air quality data, with just 15 government monitors in place.

The 26 funded projects will change that. They will deploy 700+ monitors, with eight pioneering air quality monitoring in their countries. Additionally, 17 projects will push for their nation’s first air quality standards, a critical step toward cleaner air.

“EPIC Air Quality Fund awardees represent some of the world’s best chances to close air quality data gaps and advance clean air policy in places where citizens’ lives are being seriously impacted by air pollution, yet where there have been scarce resources deployed to address the issue. Their work is pioneering and an inspiration for their countries and the world.” - Christa Hasenkopf, director of EPIC’s Clean Air Program.

A Global Push for Clean Air

The EPIC Air Quality Fund is expanding its reach beyond Africa, supporting projects in Honduras, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, and other nations where air quality data is scarce. Seventeen projects will push for their country’s first-ever air quality standards, laying the legal groundwork for cleaner air.

By making data open and accessible, these projects will drive clean air policies worldwide—turning awareness into action.