Webinar poster
African cities are growing fast, and so are the challenges that come with urban mobility.
Congested roads, aging vehicle fleets, and rising motorisation contribute to one of the continentās most pressing public health issues: urban air pollution.
How people and goods move today will determine whether cities can become cleaner, healthier, and more productive in the years ahead.
To address these questions, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Africa Clean Air Network (AfriCAN) are hosting a webinar titledĀ Driving Change: How Mobility Choices Shape Our AirĀ onĀ September 26, 2025.
Scheduled fromĀ 16:00ā17:30 EAT, the session will bring together policymakers, researchers, and advocates to explore strategies for cleaner, healthier urban transport across African cities.
The webinar will highlight progress in the rapidly transforming mobility landscape, showcasing bothĀ regional and local interventions.
Participants will also learn about opportunities to advanceĀ triple benefits: improved productivity, cleaner air, and enhanced health and well-being.
Why the webinar matters
Air pollution remains a major public health concern in Africa. In 2019, it contributed to an estimatedĀ 1.1 million premature deaths, with a death rate ofĀ 155 per 100,000 people, nearly double the global average.
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PMā.ā ), a key pollutant, is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, disproportionately affecting children and vulnerable populations.
Across the continent, PMā.ā exposure ranges from 17 Āµg/mĀ³ in Comoros to nearly 80 Āµg/mĀ³ in Niger, well above the World Health Organization guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³.
Transport is a leading contributor. Vehicle emissions are responsible for roughlyĀ 90% of urban air pollutionĀ in developing regions.
Between 2010 and 2019, transport emissions in Africa increased by 27%, and the sector currently produces aboutĀ one-third of Africaās energy-related COā emissions,Ā around 346 million tonnes annually.
The health and economic costs are high. In six rapidly growing cities, Accra, Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and YaoundĆ©, continuing on a ābusiness as usualā path could result in billions of dollars in lost productivity and healthcare expenditures.
Cleaner mobility strategies, including public transport improvements and cleaner vehicle fleets, offer a chance to reverse these trends.
Possible topics of discussion
The webinar is expected to explore strategies that African cities are using or could adopt to support cleaner, healthier urban mobility.
This may include approaches related to vehicle standards and fuel quality, public and non-motorised transport systems, urban planning, air quality monitoring, and innovations such as the electrification of transport.
The session will provide participants with insights into ongoing initiatives, emerging best practices, and opportunities for cities to achieve the triple benefits of improved productivity, cleaner air, and enhanced health and well-being.
Featured speakers
The session will feature experts from regional and international organisations:
- Jane Akumu, UNEPĀ ā Leads programs promoting cleaner fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles across Africa.
- Obafemi Shitta-Bey, LAMATAĀ ā Economist and Head of Research & Development, leading sustainable urban transport initiatives in Lagos.
- Dr. Haneen Khreis, Texas A&M Transportation InstituteĀ ā Specialist in the health impacts of traffic-related air pollution and evidence-based transport planning.
- Dr. Jackline Lidubwi, Africa Nazarene UniversityĀ ā Communications professional with over 20 years in journalism, media training, and advocacy.
Who should attend
The webinar is relevant for urban planners, policymakers, transport professionals, environmental advocates, researchers, and anyone interested in improving air quality, health, and productivity in African cities.
Participants will gain insights into ongoing initiatives, emerging best practices, and opportunities to contribute to cleaner, healthier urban mobility.
How to participate
Attendance is free. Interested participants can join the webinar via the registration linkĀ https://us06web.zoom.us/
The session promises an interactive discussion and the chance to engage directly with experts shaping Africaās urban transport future.
About Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)
LAMATA is the government agency responsible for planning, regulating, and implementing urban transport initiatives in Lagos, Nigeria.
Its mandate includes improving public transport, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting sustainable mobility solutions in one of Africaās fastest-growing cities.
About Africa Clean Air Network (AfriCAN)
AfriCAN is a network of organisations and experts focused on improving air quality across the African continent.
It supports research, advocacy, and policy initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution, promoting cleaner technologies, and enhancing public health outcomes.
