5th AIRLAB Microsensor Challenge opens for registration as event comes to Accra

The AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge is coming to Africa for the first time.

This event is a global initiative that evaluates air quality sensors. The University of Ghana in Accra will host one of three outdoor evaluation sites. The other two sites are in Paris, France, and Bangalore, India.

This inclusion highlights Africa's role in global scientific research. In past editions, over 176 microsensor devices were assessed by expert juries. This makes the AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge highly respected worldwide.

Now, air quality sensor manufacturers can test their technologies in West Africa. This region faces significant air pollution challenges, especially during the Harmattan season. This period brings high dust levels and particulate matter.

Air pollution from PM2.5 particles poses a major health risk globally. It surpasses risks from smoking, alcohol use, traffic injuries, and HIV/AIDS. According to data from the University of Chicago’s AQLI, people in polluted areas live 2.7 years less than those in cleaner areas.

In 2021, air pollution caused about 8.1 million deaths worldwide—around 22,192 daily. Alarmingly, one child dies every minute due to air pollution.

In Ghana alone, the World Health Organization reported over 28,000 deaths due to air pollution in 2019. This number exceeds deaths from malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis combined. The Global State of Air Report later revised this figure to around 30,000 annually.

Dr. Allison Felix Hughes manages Afri-SET West and commented on this year’s challenge: “We’re evaluating similar sensors across three continents.” This aims to assess performance across different climates and pollution sources.

Sensor manufacturers can register until May 31, 2025 for this competition. It offers global exposure and ranks the best-performing sensors—beneficial for any manufacturer.

What’s new in the 2025 edition?

The challenge is organized by Airparif and its innovation arm AIRLAB. It provides rigorous evaluations of air quality sensors used by various stakeholders.

Key changes include:
- Three new outdoor evaluation sites: Paris (France), Accra (Ghana), Bangalore (India).
- A new confined-space site at an underground railway station in Paris.
- Updated rules with new performance metrics and environmental footprint criteria.
- Colocation calibration allowed with a one-month validation period for fairness.
- Registration fees apply only to indoor evaluations except for the underground station.

This edition will focus on key pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Manufacturers have a unique chance to test their sensors under complex conditions like Harmattan dust. This will provide valuable data and performance benchmarks.

Registration for the 5th Edition of the AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge is now open. Visit their project webpage for more information: https://airlab.solutions/actualites/challenge-microcapteurs-edition-2025-225