Worst air pollution Bujumbura, today and tomorrow

Today (9 August): Air quality in Bujumbura is fair. NO2, O3, and HCHO are fair; AQI, PM2.5, and PM1 are medium; PM10, SO2, and CO are good. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (PM1: 42.7/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Bujumbura is fair. AQI worsens to fair; PM2.5 increases to fair; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 34.5/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.

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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

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Bujumbura's air quality reflects the flat Burundi Rusizi River delta position on Lake Tanganyika at 776 metres, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the vehicle density, charcoal burning, and port corridor generating elevated PM2.5 and black carbon. Lake Tanganyika's natural ventilation provides some dispersal, while the dry season's agricultural burning from surrounding Great Lakes savanna contributes elevated PM2.5 and Bujumbura generally maintains moderate to elevated Central African lakeside capital readings throughout most of the year.

Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 02:00

AQI:

Medium

42.7/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Medium

40.7/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

12.9/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

24.4/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

35.8/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

7.9/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

25.6/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Medium

42.7/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 07:00

AQI:

Fair

34.5/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Fair

28.1/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

7.9/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

23.4/100

O3 (ozone):

Fair

31.4/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

7.0/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Fair

23.6/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Fair

34.5/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Bujumbura right now?

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Bujumbura is fair. O3 is the main pollutant at 35.8/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 AM (PM1: 42.7/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bujumbura?

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Bujumbura will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 34.5/100. Pollution peaks around 7:00 AM (PM1: 34.5/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Bujumbura?

Pollution in Bujumbura typically rises when traffic emissions, farming and agricultural processing, together with residential biomass burning combine, especially once residential heating ramps up. Residential heating through the colder months is a major seasonal source of particulates. This is far less of a factor once the heating season ends.

Are air quality levels in Bujumbura based on measurements or forecasts?

It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.

Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?

Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.

During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.

Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.

Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.

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