Malawi Environment Protection Authority

The Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), as Malawi’s environmental regulator, is coordinating this project to strengthen the country’s ability to understand and address air pollution. MEPA will coordinate the installation and operation of an additional air quality monitoring site in Lilongwe, complementing existing monitoring efforts in Mzuzu and Karonga. The project will enable MEPA to generate and openly share reliable, near-real-time information on air pollution levels, helping government and the public better understand air quality across the country. The information collected will support MEPA in developing evidence-based air quality regulations and national standards aimed at protecting public health and the environment. MEPA will also use the project to strengthen national capacity, promote public awareness, and bring together government, researchers, and other partners to advance practical solutions for cleaner air in Malawi.

“Our team hopes to strengthen Malawi’s capacity to understand, monitor, and address air pollution, especially PM2.5. Our objective is to establish a robust hybrid air quality monitoring network that complements existing monitoring efforts and provides reliable, near-real-time data, openly accessible through OpenAQ and MEPA’s AirMW platform. The evidence generated will support the development of a National Ambient Air Quality Standard and contribute to ongoing efforts towards a Malawi Clean Air Regulation. We also hope to build national technical capacity, strengthen collaboration among local and international experts, and improve public awareness of the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.”

Dr. Juwo Sibale, Director of Environmental Assessment, Malawi Environment Protection Authority