Is the air quality good in Kinshasa?
On May 24, 2026, at 7:00 AM (local time), air quality in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was poor with an AQI of 160, which falls within the "unhealthy" range.
These conditions may pose health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Kinshasa.
While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Kinshasa was 50.2 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 137, which falls into the unhealthy category and was 10 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Kinshasa, DRC, ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on May 24, 2026, at 7 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Kinshasa?
Air quality in Kinshasa is forecasted to improve later in the day and into the evening, with pollution levels expected to move into the moderate range.
Hourly air quality forecast for Kinshasa, DRC, for May 24, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Weather conditions such as stronger winds and increased atmospheric dispersion are expected to help reduce pollutant accumulation across the city. Seasonal rainfall can also contribute to lower PM2.5 concentrations by helping remove airborne particles from the atmosphere (1).
Air quality map of Kinshasa, DRC, on May 24, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kinshasa?
Poor air quality in Kinshasa is driven by a combination of rapid urban growth, heavy traffic, industrial activity, and the widespread use of charcoal and biomass fuels for cooking. Emissions from vehicles and daily commercial activity release high levels of PM2.5 and other harmful pollutants into the air across the city.
Research suggests that air pollution is widespread across Kinshasa and not limited to areas near major roads. Instead, air pollution is spread across much of Kinshasa’s urban environment, exposing many residents to unhealthy air conditions (2).
Several key factors are contributing to poor air quality in Kinshasa:
- Heavy vehicle traffic and road congestion
- Charcoal and biomass burning for household cooking
- Commercial and industrial emissions
- Rapid urban growth and increasing population density
- Weak wind conditions that allow pollution to build up near the ground
- Loss of green spaces and vegetation cover
Studies also show that neighborhoods with less vegetation and higher environmental stress may face greater respiratory health risks, including higher rates of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses (3).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
