The air in Africa’s booming cities is thick with exhaust fumes, industrial smoke, and dust from unchecked construction. This is both an environmental issue and a public health emergency. The recent WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health laid bare the devastating consequences of rapid urbanization without safeguards. The data is clear: Africa’s cities are expanding at breakneck speed, but the systems to protect people from toxic air are lagging dangerously behind.
In 2019, air pollution was the second leading risk factor for death across Africa, accounting for over 1.1 million fatalities.
The Cost of Unchecked Growth
Urbanization in Africa is happening faster than anywhere else in the world. By 2050, the continent’s urban population is expected to triple. Yet, this growth is largely unplanned, with little regard for air quality.
In Lagos, Nigeria, a city adding thousands of cars and motorcycles daily, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) routinely exceeds WHO safety limits by five times. The health effects are staggering. A study in the Lancet Planetary Health journal found that air pollution contributes to more deaths in Nigeria than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
The problem is compounded by weak regulation. Many African cities lack even basic air quality monitoring systems. Without data, governments cannot measure the crisis, let alone address it. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” said Dr. Patrick de Marie Katoto, an environmental health researcher who spoke at the WHO conference. “Africa is flying blind when it comes to air pollution.” He made this remarks during Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health that took place from March 25 to 27, 2025, in in Cartagena, Colombia.
Exposure to air pollution is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and premature deaths. Children are particularly vulnerable; a study revealed that millions of African teenagers suffer from undiagnosed asthma, exacerbated by urban air pollution. Researchers surveyed 27,000 students from urban areas in six African countries, finding over 3,000 reported asthma symptoms, though less than one-third had formal diagnoses.
Industrial Expansion at the Expense of Health
Industrial growth, a key driver of Africa’s economic ambitions, is making the air even deadlier. Factories often operate without pollution controls, spewing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals into the air. In South Africa’s coal-dependent industrial heartland, Mpumalanga, toxic emissions have turned the region into one of the world’s worst nitrogen dioxide hotspots, rivaling parts of China and India.
The health consequences are dire. A 2023 study in Durban linked prolonged exposure to industrial emissions to a sharp rise in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Workers in these areas report chronic coughing, dizziness, and fatigue, but economic necessity keeps them on the job. “People are forced to choose between their health and their livelihood,” said Thando Ndlovu, a community activist from South Africa who attended the WHO conference.
In Sasolburg, South Africa, residents face severe health issues due to emissions from coal-to-liquid refineries. Families report respiratory problems, with children experiencing acute breathing difficulties. Despite stricter emission standards, companies have secured exemptions, citing the high costs of retrofitting older facilities.
The Human Toll of Toxic Air
Air pollution doesn’t just cause lung disease it affects nearly every organ in the body. Emerging research ties it to strokes, heart attacks, and even cognitive decline. Children are especially vulnerable. In Nairobi, pediatricians report a surge in asthma cases, with many children requiring hospitalization during peak pollution periods.
The economic burden is equally crushing. The World Bank estimates that air pollution costs African economies billions annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. Yet, despite these costs, investment in clean air solutions remains pitifully low.
Air pollution imposes substantial economic burdens. The global health cost associated with exposure to air pollution was estimated at US$8.1 trillion in 2019. Investing in cleaner air is not only a moral health imperative but also a sound economic strategy to reduce healthcare costs, boost productivity, and drive sustainable development while mitigating climate change.
WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health
The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, held in March 2025, expressed the urgency of addressing this crisis. More than 700 participants from 100 countries gathered to discuss solutions.
A key outcome was the commitment by over 50 nations, cities, and organizations to cut air pollution-related health impacts by 50% by 2040. This ambitious goal, if achieved, could save millions of lives each year.
However, achieving such reductions will require decisive action. African nations must prioritize transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Expanding efficient public transportation systems can help decrease the number of private vehicles, cutting down vehicular emissions.
Governments must also enforce stricter regulations on industrial emissions and vehicle standards while promoting clean cooking practices to reduce indoor air pollution, a major health risk in many low-income households.
The intersection of urbanization, industrial growth, and air pollution in Africa presents complex challenges. However, informed policies, international cooperation, and local commitments can mitigate these impacts. Addressing air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a public health and economic imperative. Without urgent intervention, the costs both human and financial will only escalate, undermining Africa’s development prospects.
Africa stands at a crossroads. It can either repeat the mistakes of industrialized nations, where decades of unchecked pollution led to irreversible health damage, or it can chart a cleaner, healthier path forward. The WHO conference made one thing clear: the tools to fix this crisis are available. What’s missing is urgency.
As Dr. Maria Neira, WHO’s Director of Public Health, said: “Clean air is not a luxury—it’s a fundamental human right.”
