NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi is this week hosting the Clean Air Forum 2025, a high-level summit focused on forging regional partnerships and technological solutions to combat air pollution in African cities.
The three-day forum, which runs from July 15 to 17, has attracted delegates from more than 35 African countries, with a mission to drive collective action towards clean, breathable air across the continent.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili officially opened the forum on behalf of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, thanking the stakeholders for prioritising the urgent issue of air quality.
“Everyone has a right to a clean and healthy environment,” Owili said. “I encourage participants to take full advantage of this platform to learn, share experiences, and form lasting partnerships that will advance clean air initiatives both locally and continent-wide.”
The annual CLEAN-Air Forum has grown into a premier gathering for African policymakers, researchers, development partners, and city leaders working to tackle air pollution through collaboration, data-driven solutions, and capacity-building.
This year’s forum follows the success of the Lagos edition, which convened over 80 policymakers and 200 global experts from 34 countries.
2025 Theme: Partnerships for Clean Air Solutions
The theme for the Nairobi summit — “Partnerships for Clean Air Solutions” — underscores the need for multi-sectoral, transboundary cooperation in addressing Africa’s air quality crisis.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening regional networks and multi-sectoral partnerships for air quality action.
- Closing data gaps through the use of low-cost sensors, Artificial Intelligence, and satellite technologies.
- Scaling up the African Clean Air Programme, a regional framework advancing evidence-based policy and public health outcomes.
- Mobilising sustainable financing through both public and private sector-led initiatives.
- Fostering alignment with international goals, including the UNEA-6/10 resolution on regional cooperation for air quality management.
The forum serves as a vital knowledge exchange platform for sharing best practices and driving forward policies that support clean, equitable and resilient urban environments.
Delegates are expected to issue a communique on commitments and next steps to support the implementation of clean air strategies across the continent.
