Africa Clean Air Forum

The Africa Clean Air Forum is the flagship event of the Africa Clean Air Network (AfriCAN). It serves as a platform to convene policymakers, academia, industry, media and civil society organizations to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and cross-border partnerships to address air pollution across Africa.

The Institute for Economic Development joined this year's forum under the theme “investment case for clean air and healthy cities.” Experts and participants came together to:

• Highlight progress on the implementation of evidence-driven clean air actions in Africa and opportunities for capacity strengthening on science-driven interventions.
• Increase the adoption of integrated solutions and best practices for air quality data handling, modelling and forecasting using low-cost sensors, reference-grade monitors, Artificial Intelligence, and remote sensing.
• Discuss and co-create potential pathways and models for sustainable funding streams, including private sector-led investments.
• Foster cross-border knowledge sharing and increase synergies with existing initiatives, including the Africa Clean Air Program (ACAP), and other regional networks.

To learn more, watch the Interdisciplinary Pathways Towards Evidence-Driven Air Quality Management in Africa webinar.

Download the Africa Clean Air Network's new Africa Air Quality Brief 2026, which provides a continental overview of air quality, spotlights areas where progress has been made, and outlines future priorities. 

The brief makes an important case for expanding monitoring and translation of data into local action. As more cities in Africa are setting up air quality monitoring, it is important that we invest in capacity, research and engagement to translate data into policy-relevant evidence, including the economic costs of air pollution and the benefits of clean air action.

- Nancy Lozano Gracia, Institute for Economic Development Program Manager.