The AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge is making history by coming to Africa for the first time. Thanks to a partnership with Afri-SET West, the Department of Physics at the University of Ghana in Accra will be one of three outdoor evaluation sites in the 5th edition of the Challenge. This puts Africa on the global scientific map alongside Paris, France, and Bangalore, India.
Air quality sensor manufacturers now have the opportunity to test and validate their technologies in West Africa, a region known for high levels of air pollution, especially in its big cities. The Harmattan period, characterized by high volumes of dust and particulate matter during the dry season, adds to the unique atmospheric conditions in the region.
Air pollution, particularly from PM2.5 particles, is a significant health risk globally, surpassing other well-known hazards like smoking, alcohol use, and HIV/AIDS. In Ghana alone, air pollution was responsible for over 28,000 deaths in 2019, exceeding the combined death toll from malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. The Global State of Air Report in 2021 revised Ghana’s annual death toll due to air pollution to 30,000 lives lost.
Dr. Allison Felix Hughes, the Facility Manager of Afri-SET West, highlights the significance of this year’s Microsensors Challenge in evaluating sensors across three continents and different climatic zones. Manufacturers have until May 31, 2025, to register for the competition, which provides global exposure and ranks the best-performing sensors.
The 5th edition of the Challenge introduces new outdoor evaluation sites in France, Ghana, and India, as well as a confined-space evaluation site in an underground railway station in Paris. Updated rules and protocols focus on performance metrics, utility criteria, and environmental footprint evaluation. Manufacturers can now collocate calibrations, with a validation period for transparency and fairness.
The 2025 edition of the Challenge will focus on key pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and sulfur dioxide. This presents an unparalleled opportunity for manufacturers to test their sensors in West African environments, including complex air pollution sources and unique atmospheric conditions like the Harmattan dust.
Registration for the 5th Edition of the AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge is now open. Manufacturers can visit the project webpage for all the necessary information and registration details. It’s a chance to showcase their technology on a global platform and contribute to improving air quality monitoring worldwide.
