Air pollution varies dramatically across Africa. Some cities experience relatively low annual pollution levels, while others record concentrations of fine particulate matter that place them among the world's more polluted urban areas.

The figures also change from year to year because pollution depends on weather, dust, traffic, industry, fuel use and other factors.

IQAir's 2025 World Air Quality Report provides annual PM2.5 measurements for cities around the world. Its data shows that several African cities recorded particularly high concentrations during 2025.

1. N'Djamena, Chad

N'Djamena recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 53.6 µg/m³ in 2025 in IQAir's city dataset.

That placed the Chadian capital at the top of the report's global city ranking for annual PM2.5 concentration.

Dust is an important factor in air quality across the Sahel, where dry conditions can allow large quantities of airborne particles.

2. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa recorded 50.2 µg/m³ in the 2025 dataset.

The figure represented an improvement from the city's 2024 level of 58.2 µg/m³, but the annual concentration remained very high by international standards.

The city's enormous population, traffic and urban activities all contribute to its complex air-quality profile.

3. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa frequently appears in international air-quality monitoring.

IQAir's live major-city ranking has recorded the Ethiopian capital among the cities with the highest AQI readings, although live AQI and annual PM2.5 rankings are different measurements.

The distinction matters because a short-term pollution spike does not necessarily represent an entire year's average.

4. Kampala, Uganda

Kampala has also recorded elevated particulate pollution.

IQAir's live global major-city ranking has placed Kampala among cities experiencing unhealthy air-quality readings at particular times.

Traffic, road dust, construction and combustion sources are among the factors studied in the city's air-quality research.

5. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is one of Africa's largest metropolitan areas and has a long history of air-quality concerns.

IQAir's 2025 city dataset gives Cairo an annual PM2.5 concentration of 40.8 µg/m³, compared with 39.9 µg/m³ in 2024.

The city's huge population and dense transport network make air pollution an important environmental issue.

6. Accra, Ghana

Accra's annual PM2.5 concentration has varied considerably over recent years.

IQAir's dataset records 21 µg/m³ for 2025, down from 36.3 µg/m³ in 2024.

The difference demonstrates why annual rankings should be read as measurements for a specific year rather than permanent descriptions of a city.

7. Harare, Zimbabwe

Harare has experienced air-quality problems associated with urban traffic, household combustion, waste burning and dust.

Like many African cities, pollution levels can vary considerably between seasons and neighbourhoods.

8. Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi's pollution is influenced by traffic, construction, road dust, industrial activity and other urban sources.

Air-quality measurements can differ substantially between monitoring locations, meaning citywide figures do not necessarily represent every neighbourhood.

9. Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg sits within the wider industrial Highveld region, one of southern Africa's most heavily industrialised areas.

Air pollution in the region is associated with industrial activity, energy production, traffic and domestic fuel use.

10. Lusaka, Zambia

Lusaka also experiences particulate pollution from road traffic, dust, combustion and waste burning.

The city's rapid urban growth has increased the importance of air-quality monitoring as the metropolitan area expands.

One important point stands out from the available data: there is no single permanent list of Africa's most polluted cities. Rankings change according to the year, measurement method, monitoring coverage and whether the comparison uses annual PM2.5, daily AQI or another indicator.

IQAir's 2025 dataset provides one comparable annual measure, while live AQI rankings can change from hour to hour.