Building an Africa-focused Framework for Air Quality Management: The Role of Low-cost Sensors and Digital Platforms for Effective Data Management and Engagement for Action

Many fast-growing cities and designated urban centres in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) such as those in Africa, lack institutionalised air quality management programmes, and yet air pollution continues to pose significant health burdens, often exceeding other known health challenges. The resource requirements of establishing an air quality management programme can be particularly prohibitive for many cities in the global South, especially in Africa, where continuous monitoring infrastructure is inexistent for many cities. We present a unique case study of a scalable community-driven air quality management model for an African city. This model employs locally developed cloud-based smart solutions and data products to advance evidence-informed actions to tackle air pollution. This approach is anchored on stakeholder synergies built around the multi-sectoral nature of air pollution. An end-to-end smart city air quality solution that encompasses stakeholder partnerships, a large scale network of low-cost sensors, data access infrastructure, and education and awareness, is implemented. We specifically leverage a large scale network of air quality monitors comprising over 130 locally-built low-cost monitors, and 4 reference monitors deployed in an East African setting. We then employ cloud-based and in-house developed community aware digital platforms for data management and access; coupled with targeted community-driven engagement for awareness and to inform specific policy interventions. A diverse media landscape and communications channels are utilised for sustained awareness and dissemination.

This case study demonstrates that low-cost sensors can be adapted for sustained monitoring in resource-strained and data hungry cities in Africa. More generally, adopting a holistic approach that links all facets of tackling air pollution has the potential to accelerate action through: increased data access, awareness and participatory & inclusive advocacy; strengthening collaborations and stakeholder synergies; and improving institutional capacity for targeted interventions and policy mainstreaming. This scalable model is a great step towards building an Africa-focused framework for air quality management .