Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa, like many rapidly growing cities in the Global South, faces a serious but often invisible challenge: air pollution. Limited reliable data has made it difficult to identify pollution hotspots, protect public health, and plan cleaner, healthier cities. The EPIC Air Quality Project will address this critical gap by establishing a citywide, continuous air quality monitoring network that generates reliable, real-time, and openly accessible data. This evidence will enable communities, researchers, and policymakers to better understand air pollution, identify priority areas, and drive informed action. Beyond monitoring, the project will strengthen institutions, foster strategic partnerships, and support Ethiopia’s national clean air policy and regulatory framework. By positioning Addis Ababa as a national demonstration city, the project will connect science, policy, and practice to create a practical, scalable model for cleaner air and healthier cities across Ethiopia.

The EPIC Air Quality Project will help transform how Ethiopia understands and addresses air pollution. We will generate reliable, real-time evidence on air quality and exposure, make data openly accessible, and connect science, policy, institutions, and communities to drive meaningful action. Beyond establishing sustainable monitoring, the project will strengthen institutional capacity and support Ethiopia’s national clean air framework. By demonstrating a practical model for evidence-based clean air governance in Addis Ababa, the Project will create a foundation that can be sustained, scaled, and replicated across Ethiopia’s growing cities helping build healthier, more resilient urban communities for generations to come.

Prof. Seyoum Leta, Professor of Environmental Biotechnology, Centre for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University