New World Bank grant to help Egypt manage Cairo's air pollution

The World Bank announced a new grant toward an air pollution program in Cairo on Wednesday. 

The Washington DC-based financial institution said it will provide $9.13 million to expand the scope of its Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project. It will specifically go toward managing electronic and health care waste, according to a press release. 

The World Bank approved the project in 2020, and it will last until 2026 with a total cost of $200 million. It aims to reduce air pollution by improving waste management infrastructure, reducing vehicle emissions and various other endeavors, according to the World Bank website. 

Why it matters: Air quality is a major issue in Cairo, despite the World Bank’s efforts. AccuWeather listed Cairo’s air quality as “poor” on Wednesday. The Swiss air quality technology firm IQAir described the air quality as “very unhealthy” the same day.

A 2022 report published by the American University of Cairo described the city’s air quality as a "direct threat to public health.” The report pointed out that poor air quality contributes to shortened life expectancy, premature death and other health issues. 

Know more: Egypt has been seeking to clean up its environmental record in recent years. The North African country hosted the United Nations climate change conference COP27 last November. The use of solar and wind power in Egypt is also growing.