Pollution is a global public health concern and is responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths in Africa each year. Despite these huge health consequences, the awareness of the severity of the problem is appreciated differently in the various regions in the African continent due to lack of data, information, and expertise in addressing the causes.
Air quality research in Africa has grown in recent years but remains limited compared to other continents. Most studies focus on urban centres, with significant gaps in monitoring, data availability, and health impact assessments. The continent faces rising air pollution due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, yet systematic research and policy responses lag the scale of the problem.
We are pleased to announce this year’s 2026 Annual Seminar of the African Society for Air Quality (ASAQ), dedicated to advancing air quality research across Africa. This year’s seminar builds on the success of past seminars held in 2024 and 2025 and will bring together leading scientists, stakeholders and policy makers to address the urgent challenges of air pollution on the continent.
Key topics will include:
- Sources and Characterization of Pollutants,
- Trends of Urban Air Pollution,
- Indoor Environmental Quality,
- Air Quality Data Analytics,
- Emissions and Air Quality Modelling,
- Design and Development of Smart Low-Cost Air Sensors,
- Instrumentation and Advances in Air Quality Monitoring,
- Economic, Social and Health Impacts,
- Policy, Regulation, Adaptation and Management Strategies,
- Public Awareness, Education, Training and Capacity Building.
All those who wish to present their work on one of the above topics are requested to submit an 8-page paper using the template provided.
Paper submission and registration open: 15th March 2026
Deadline for paper submission: 15th May 2026
Participation in the seminar is totally free of charge.
For any inquiries or questions, please contact us at: afs4aq@gmail.com.
Organizing committee:
· Mamadou Lamine Samb (UIDT, Senegal)
· Adriana Pietrodangelo (CNR, Italy)
· Rafael Borge (UPM, Spain)
· Sotirios Papathanasiou (GO AQS, Spain)
· Bertrand Tchanche (UAD, Senegal)
· Alassane Traore (UCAD, Senegal)
· Stefano Rinaldi (UNIBS, Italy)
· Janine Wichmann (UP, South Africa)
· Agot Watne (IVL, Sweden)
· Wadinga Fomba (Tropos, Germany)
· Patrick Develtere (KU Leven, Belgium)
· Bruce Mellado (Wits, South Africa)
This event is organized in collaboration with GO AQS and with the support of Alioune Diop University, Iba Der Thiam University and Cheikh Anta Diop University.