From Pollution To Solution In Six African Cities
Clean Air Fund
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Abstract: This policy brief assesses the human and economic costs of urban air pollution in six African cities?Accra, Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and Yaoundé. It reveals that, if unaddressed, toxic air could cost these cities up to US$138 billion by 2040 in premature deaths and productivity losses. The report identifies key pollution drivers?such as transport emissions, open waste burning, and polluting fuels?and estimates that five targeted interventions could prevent over 109,000 deaths and save US$19.2 billion. The analysis highlights emerging progress, including Nairobi?s Clean Air Bill and Accra?s public awareness campaigns, while calling for coordinated, multi-level action. Key recommendations span five priority areas: governance, data systems, partnerships, finance access, and technical capacity. The African Union?s role in policy harmonization and climate finance advocacy is also emphasized. The report underscores that clean air is a critical enabler of sustainable development, economic resilience, and public health in Africa?s urban future.