Air Pollution Management and Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Air pollution is a global concern which has adverse effects on human health. In sub-Saharan Africa(SSA), several sources of emission, such as industrial processes and combustion engines, contribute significantly to air pollution due to the region’s reliance on conventional energy sources. However, there is little knowledge regarding policies and management frameworks in place in sub-Saharan Africa to address the issue of air pollution. As a result, a better understanding of the policy and management landscape is crucial for guiding interventions and providing information for decision-making to decrease the health risks related to air pollution in SSA.

Method

Systematic searching of published research were obtained from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and grey literature between 2005 and February 2023. 1,843 studies were found in the primary search. After removing duplicates, 1,236 studies were assessed for eligibility using only the titles and abstracts. After screening for appropriateness, 50 studies were chosen for full-text review, and 20 were ultimately included in the systematic review.

Results

There has been a Policy on Air Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the enforcement and/or management is very poor. There is a critical need for improved air pollution policies and management frameworks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Conclusion

Governments and non-governmental organisations involved in decision making in SSA should emphasis the creation and execution of policies based on empirical evidence that considers the specific circumstances faced by individual nations and regions. To chart progress and identify problem areas, establishing good monitoring and assessment mechanisms is essential.