Increasing the understanding of cloud-based and custom digital solutions for data access

Motivation

Access to timely and accurate data plays a crucial role in addressing urban air pollution, yet establishing continuous monitoring infrastructure poses significant challenges for many cities in the global south, particularly in Africa. The burden of air pollution disproportionately affects African urban populations, with ground monitoring notably absent in numerous cities. Likewise, Lagos has witnessed substantial population growth, surging from 4.7 million in the 1990s to over 15.9 million in 2023, with projections anticipating a rise to over 30 million by 2030. This population expansion has considerable implications for air quality and broader urban health concerns. Consequently, there is a noticeable surge in public concern and interest in air quality, underscoring the pressing need for data and evidence to enhance awareness and drive actionable initiatives and evidence to raise awareness and drive action.

Budgetary limitations continue to pose a significant barrier to establishing a robust and trustworthy data infrastructure essential for the creation and execution of targeted air pollution interventions. Progress in sensing technologies, particularly with the integration of low-cost sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI), presents distinctive possibilities to formulate cost-effective methodologies for air quality monitoring and modelling, particularly in settings constrained by resources. Despite the expansion of monitoring networks in Lagos, the issue of data access and quality assurance remains unresolved for numerous data users and potential providers. This unresolved aspect constrains the effective adoption and utilisation of data intended to catalyse evidence-informed actions.

This 1.5-day workshop will bring together the Lagos Air Quality community of practice comprising diverse stakeholders. The workshop aims to increase the understanding of digital solutions for data management, and the uptake of contextual air quality data for action. This workshop builds on the collaborative efforts of different stakeholders in Lagos, including AQMRG, Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), C40, EUEPiN, LASEPA, UrbanBetter, among others.

Objectives and outcomes

The workshop aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Highlight the air quality monitoring efforts in Lagos 
2. Unveil existing digital solutions to enhance access to air quality data
3. Provide hands-on onboarding experiences on accessing and interpreting real-time air quality data using AirQo’s advanced monitoring technology
4. Localise data access on the respective platforms which will involve the integration of air quality data onto their websites
5. Empower participants to leverage air quality data for informed decision-making and policy advocacy

The workshop’s pathway to impact hinges on the following outcomes:

1. Comprehensively  increase the understanding of LCS and digital solutions as new approaches for urban air quality monitoring
2. Increase the understanding of cloud-based and custom digital solutions for data access and quality assurance
3. Increase uptake and utilisation of air quality data while fostering collaborations amongst the Air Quality key players for evidence-informed decisions

Programme 

Day 1

Moderator: Dr. Akeem Abayomi 

Opening plenary: Vision for the engagement 

1. Existing monitoring landscape in Lagos 
2. Air quality in Lagos: What the data says
3. Vision and engagement 

Official opening by LASEPA General Manager: The Lagos city commitment

Breakout session: Data access challenges and opportunities

Lunch break

Hands-on experience and demonstration: Introduction to contextual digital solutions

1. Air quality at your fingertips (Mobile App onboarding)
2. Introduction to AirQo Analytics-onboarding

Guest remarks: The U.S Mission/government commitments to supporting air quality work in Africa

1. Opportunities for collaborating with the U.S Mission and the U.S scientific communities on air quality issues

Day 2 (Half-day)

Moderator: Prof. Lawanson Taibat

Welcome Remarks: Dean of Faculty of Science, University of Lagos – Prof. Elijah Oyeyemi

Reporting and visualisation: Hands-on experience and demonstration

1. Data platform and interoperability
2. A deep dive into air quality data for Lagos City
3. Data analysis and interpretation
4. Facilitating data uptake for decision-makers

Opportunities and announcements

Physical tour of the colocation centre