Somalia

Somalia: Strengthening National Air Quality Governance

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Year
2025
2029
Beneficiaries
Somalia
Funding
CCAC Funded

Overview 

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), through its Targeted Expert Assistance (TEA), is supporting the Government of Somalia to establish the foundations for a modern national air quality management system. 

Implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute – Africa Center (SEI-Center) in partnership with Somalia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), the project strengthens institutional capacity, develops policy-relevant evidence, and equips national experts with the tools needed to monitor air pollution and address short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).  

This work builds on Somalia's recent progress, including the installation of the country's first air quality monitoring station, the inclusion of air quality monitoring in the National Transformation Plan (2025–2029), and growing national momentum to expand environmental monitoring and evidence-based policymaking.  

Why it matters 

Somalia faces increasing environmental pressures from rapid urbanization, household biomass use, diesel-powered electricity generation, transport, charcoal production, waste burning, and recurring dust events. Yet, until recently, the country lacked a coordinated national framework for monitoring air quality and understanding its impacts on health and climate.  

The project helps bridge this gap by developing the technical, institutional and policy foundations needed for long-term air quality governance while supporting implementation of Somalia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and broader climate commitments.  

 

Objectives 

The project supports Somalia to: 

  • Strengthen national institutions responsible for air quality governance and SLCP mitigation.  

  • Improve technical capacity for air quality monitoring, data management and analysis.  

  • Generate policy-relevant evidence to guide future environmental decision-making on super pollutants 

  • Establish the foundations for the development of Somalia's National Air Quality Policy.  

  • Strengthen linkages between air quality management and climate action under the Paris Agreement.  

 

Key activities

Policy gap analysis 

A comprehensive review of Somalia's environmental legislation, climate policies and institutional arrangements identifies opportunities to strengthen air quality governance and develop a coherent National Air Quality Framework. 

Capacity building 

National experts from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Pollution Monitoring Unit and partner institutions receive practical training on: 

  • Air quality monitoring  

  • Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)  

  • Data management and interpretation  

  • Use of monitoring data to support policy development  

The training also draws on the CCAC Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx) platform.  

Baseline air quality assessment 

The project establishes Somalia's first national baseline of outdoor air pollution by combining: 

  • Satellite Earth observation  

  • Atmospheric and meteorological data  

  • Emissions modelling (LEAP-IBC)  

  • Existing environmental datasets  

This integrated approach identifies pollution hotspots, major emission sources, and priority areas for future monitoring and investment.   

Partners 

  • Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), Somalia  

  • Pollution Monitoring Unit (PMU)  

  • Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI-Africa)  

Resources 

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