Air Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Measurement Issues and Empirical Challenges

Air pollution imposes large and uneven health and productivity costs in sub-Saharan Africa, yet evidence remains limited by severe data constraints. This review synthesizes what economists know about particulate matter exposure in the region, with a focus on measurement, sources, and implications for applied research. I review ground-based, satellite, reanalysis, and hybrid data products, emphasizing how spatially structured measurement error shapes empirical identification. I then assess evidence on health, agriculture, labor, and human capital, highlighting both credible designs and remaining gaps. The review concludes by outlining research strategies that integrate exposure uncertainty into applied economic analysis.