Air quality experts meet in South Africa to push investment in clean air as Africa’s pollution crisis deepens

Air quality experts from more than 40 countries have gathered in Pretoria, South Africa, for the Africa Clean Air Forum 2026 as the continent faces a mounting air pollution crisis, with new data revealing that 30 countries met the least stringent WHO air quality targets in 2025.

The four-day forum, which runs from July 13 to 16, is being held under the theme "Investment Case for Clean Air and Healthy Cities," drawing delegates from governments, development partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society. It comes at a critical time when African countries are experiencing a growing air pollution burden, yet funding for clean air action remains alarmingly low. ...