The Struggle Against Air Pollution in African Megacities and the Hidden Problems for the Estimation of the Burden of Disease

Air pollution poses a significant threat to global public health, with African megacities facing its severe consequences due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and transportation challenges. In Africa, air pollution is responsible for 1.1 million deaths annually, with household air pollution accounting for two-third and ambient air pollution one-third of this burden. However, these percentages are likely to change in the near future due to the projected rapid urbanization and industrialization in the region. In the next 25 to 50 years African megacities are projected to grow rapidly and therefore experience a significant increase in air pollution-related health risks. Poor policy prioritization, limited monitoring infrastructure and conflicting interests and priorities further complicate the problem. In this paper, the key drivers of air pollution are discussed in African megacities, including urbanization, industrialization, transportation, and energy use. Further it is highlighted that there are significant challenges and barriers, as well as a pressing need for air quality monitoring, coordinated policies and effective air quality management to ensure sustainable development, mitigate the adverse health impacts of pollution and improve the quality of life across the continent.