Africa Clean Air Forum 2026: Experts Urge Investments in Real Solutions to Air Pollution and Waste Management

Policymakers, scientists, civil society organisations, development partners, and community leaders from across the continent are gathering in Pretoria from July 13 to 16 for the 2026 Africa Clean Air Forum, a key platform aimed at advancing Africa’s response to air pollution and promoting healthier cities.

Held under the theme, “Investment Case for Clean Air and Healthy Cities,” the forum comes at a time when air pollution is emerging as one of Africa’s most significant public health and environmental challenges.

Over the years, the Africa Clean Air Forum has evolved beyond an annual conference into a vital platform for collaboration, enabling governments, researchers, and communities to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate action to improve air quality across the continent.

The growing awareness of air pollution in African cities has led to increased investments in air quality monitoring systems, with many governments recognising that clean air is essential for healthier populations, stronger economies, and greater climate resilience.

Experts say the expansion of air quality monitoring networks is a positive development, as reliable data supports evidence-based policymaking, strengthens accountability, and informs public decision-making. However, they caution that monitoring alone will not solve the problem.

According to environmental advocates, the true measure of success lies in whether investments lead to tangible reductions in pollution and improvements in public health. They argue that solutions must address pollution at its source rather than rely on end-of-pipe technologies.

While public discussions on air pollution often focus on transport, industry, and energy production, waste management remains a major but frequently overlooked contributor to poor air quality in African cities.

Open burning of waste continues to be widespread in many communities due to inadequate waste collection services, poorly managed dumpsites, and limited waste management infrastructure. The practice releases harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exposing nearby communities to significant health risks.

Research indicates that open burning of waste contributes approximately 29 per cent of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the air. Combined with other sources of air pollution, it is linked to nearly 1.2 million premature deaths annually across Africa.

Environmental experts stress that ending open burning is critical but argue that sustainable waste management systems must be developed to address the root causes of the problem.

Studies suggest that between 70 and 80 per cent of municipal solid waste generated in African cities is recyclable, including biodegradable waste, plastics, and paper. If effectively managed within a circular economy framework, these materials could generate an estimated US$8 billion annually.

As a result, stakeholders are calling for increased support for waste reduction, source separation, reuse, recycling, composting, and other resource recovery initiatives.

Concerns have also been raised over growing efforts to promote waste-to-energy incineration as a solution to Africa’s waste management challenges. Critics argue that while incineration reduces the volume of waste, it converts waste into air emissions, toxic ash, and greenhouse gases rather than eliminating it.

They further contend that incineration technologies depend on a continuous supply of combustible waste, potentially discouraging recycling and resource recovery efforts while creating long-term financial and environmental burdens for cities.

With many African countries currently reviewing their waste management strategies, experts warn that decisions made today could shape urban infrastructure and environmental outcomes for decades.

The forum’s emphasis on mobilising greater investment for clean air initiatives has been widely welcomed. Stakeholders agree that Africa urgently requires additional funding to strengthen air quality monitoring, improve enforcement of environmental regulations, build institutional capacity, and implement effective pollution control measures.

However, environmental advocates maintain that clean air financing should be directed toward proven solutions such as waste separation, composting, recycling, organic waste recovery, material recovery facilities, and the integration of informal waste workers into modern waste management systems.

They argue that these approaches not only reduce air pollution but also create jobs, improve public health, lower methane emissions, strengthen local economies, and support the transition to circular economies.

As discussions continue in Pretoria, participants are calling for leadership that prioritises science, public health, and environmental justice. They stress that the success of the 2026 Africa Clean Air Forum will ultimately be measured not by the conversations held during the event, but by the policies adopted, the investments made, and the quality of the air millions of Africans breathe in the years ahead.