AIR QUALITY

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

The Uganda-founded initiative is one of the finalists in the Clean Our Air category of the environmental award, established by Prince William in 2020. AirQo develops air quality monitoring systems designed specifically for African cities, where access to reliable pollution data remains limited.

Air pollution represents a significant public health challenge across the continent. According to AirQo, it was the second-leading risk factor for death in Africa in 2019 and contributed to an estimated 1.1 million deaths that year. Rapid urbanisation is adding emissions from transport, industry and waste, while many cities lack sufficiently detailed data to identify pollution hotspots or assess whether interventions are working.

Prince William, President and Founder of The Earthshot Prize, said:“ Every year, our Finalists give me renewed optimism. They show us that, even as the environmental challenges remain urgent, extraordinary people around the world are already proving that progress is possible. Seeing solutions work gives us all confidence to act. When they succeed, they inspire others and accelerate change. I’ m proud to welcome these 15 Finalists to the Earthshot Prize community and look forward to celebrating their stories in Mumbai this November.”

Founded at Makerere University in 2015, AirQo emerged from efforts to overcome the cost and operational limitations of conventional air quality monitoring infrastructure. Its monitoring devices are designed to operate in conditions including dust, intermittent power and limited internet connectivity.

The organisation combines fixed monitoring stations with mobile devices mounted on motorcycle taxis, known locally as boda bodas, to capture street-level pollution data. Information from the network is made available through open data platforms, dashboards, mobile tools and APIs.

AI and machine learning are used to calibrate sensors, check data quality, forecast pollution, identify hotspots and determine where additional monitors are required. The technology is designed to complement reference-grade monitoring stations rather than replace them.

“ Air pollution has remained invisible across too many African cities because the data needed to understand it has been scarce,” said Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha, Founder and Lead of AirQo and Professor of Computer Science at Makerere University.

“ AirQo was built in Africa for the realities of African cities, bringing together locally designed monitors, open data and artificial intelligence so that evidence can move from the street into public decisions.”

AirQo currently operates more than 500 air quality monitors across over 16 cities. Its activities span nine African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria,

Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa, providing air quality information to communities with a combined population exceeding 30 million.

Its data and technical expertise have supported the development of Uganda’ s first national air quality regulations and informed traffic management measures in Kampala. AirQo also works with governments to identify pollution hotspots, strengthen regulation and support urban planning.

As an Earthshot Prize finalist, AirQo will receive support aimed at accelerating its expansion, strengthening partnerships and developing its open-source infrastructure.

The organisation plans to extend monitoring networks to another 10 African cities as it works towards operating in more than 50 cities by 2030. It also plans an open-source air quality platform incorporating a conversational AI interface that will allow city leaders to query pollution data and potential responses.

AirQo is also expanding technical skills through its DevCon programme at Makerere University. Two cohorts have already trained more than 50 students in software and hardware disciplines including sensor assembly, diagnostics, maintenance and repair. • www. intelligentcio. com

INTELLIGENT CIO AFRICA

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