A recent report by IQAir, a leading air quality monitoring platform, has ranked the top 5 most polluted cities in Africa, with Dakar, Accra, and Kampala topping the list. The report, which tracks air quality across approximately 120 major cities worldwide, highlights the devastating health and economic consequences of air pollution on the continent.

According to the report, Dakar, Senegal, recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 180, categorizing it as unhealthy and posing risks to vulnerable groups. Accra, Ghana, followed with an AQI of 117, indicating unhealthy air for sensitive individuals, likely due to traffic, industrial emissions, and waste burning. Kampala, Uganda, had a moderate AQI of 77, while Cairo, Egypt (66), and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (52), also fell within the moderate range, affected by vehicle emissions and industrial activities.

The report's findings are alarming, as air pollution is a major environmental risk factor that affects both public health and overall productivity. In Africa, where many cities experience high pollution levels, the impact on the workforce is significant, leading to respiratory illnesses, weakened immune systems, and increased health-related work absences. This, in turn, harms key economic sectors like agriculture and industry, ultimately weakening economic performance and placing a heavy strain on healthcare systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 2.4 billion people face hazardous household air pollution from polluting fuels like kerosene, biomass, and coal. Combined with ambient pollution, this contributes to 7 million premature deaths annually, underscoring the need for cleaner energy and stronger pollution controls. The WHO also notes that poor air quality causes respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and other health problems, forcing many workers to take sick leave or reducing their ability to work at full capacity.

The IQAir Live report, which updates at least once per hour to reflect changing air quality conditions globally, categorizes air pollution levels as follows: values between 0-50 indicate good air quality, 51-100 represent moderate air pollution, 101-150 signify unhealthy air for sensitive groups, 151-200 indicate unhealthy air for the general population, 201-300 reflect very unhealthy conditions, and values 301 and above represent hazardous pollution levels.

The report's findings stress the need for sustainable policies and pollution control measures to protect public health in African cities. As urbanization and industrialization continue to drive air pollution challenges across the continent, it is essential for governments and stakeholders to prioritize cleaner energy, reduce emissions, and implement effective pollution control measures to mitigate the devastating health and economic consequences of air pollution.

In conclusion, the IQAir report serves as a wake-up call to African cities to address the pressing issue of air pollution, which has far-reaching implications for public health, economic productivity, and overall well-being. By prioritizing cleaner energy and implementing effective pollution control measures, African cities can mitigate the devastating consequences of air pollution and create a healthier, more sustainable future for their citizens.