African countries could save billions by cutting air pollution and greenhouse gases at the same time

Lowering air pollution in Africa has many economic benefits, according to new research by environmental scientists Chris Malley, Kevin Hicks and Caroline Sawe.

They reflect on two reports that set out the practical ways that African countries can cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at the same time, while saving billions through lower healthcare costs, fewer days lost to illness and greater productivity.

How big is the air pollution problem in Africa? The 2025 State of Global Air report analysed the air quality and health impacts for countries around the world in 2023.

It shows that nearly 1 million people died prematurely across sub-Saharan Africa in 2023 because of the polluted air they breathed.

This makes air pollution the second largest risk to public health across Africa, behind only malnutrition.

Generally, air pollution’s health impacts are felt mostly by the elderly and children.

The same report says that only 12% of all air pollution deaths globally occur in sub-Saharan Africa, but over half of all child related air pollution deaths occur on the continent.

Read more: Heart attacks and high blood pressure are on the rise in Africa - what does air pollution have to do with it? Most human-made air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa comes from homes that use wood, charcoal and other polluting fuels for cooking.

The rest is from industries, electricity production, transport, agriculture and waste management.

These major air pollution sources are also the largest sources of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change.

This means that tackling climate change globally can improve public health locally.

Our first piece of research , Hidden assets: the economic and health case for climate and clean air action, evaluates a package of 25 proven solutions for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

These solutions span key economic sectors like energy and fossil fuel systems, industry, transport, agriculture and food systems, residential cooking and heating, and waste management.

Read more: Visibility study of Nairobi, Kampala and Addis Ababa reveals big air pollution problems The findings show that in parts of southern Africa, every dollar spent cutting pollution could deliver about US$26 in economic benefits.