A groundbreaking Sh10.66 billion ($82.5 million) initiative is set to transform aviation safety and environmental protection across Africa as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) jointly launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project.
This ambitious program targets the phase-out of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), dangerous “forever chemicals” linked to severe environmental and health risks, at major airports in Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Supported by a Sh1.29 billion ($10 million) grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Sh9.37 billion ($72.5 million) in co-financing from various partners, FIRE represents a crucial step toward eliminating hazardous chemicals from aviation operations while maintaining the highest safety standards.
The project addresses what Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, described as an invisible pollution time bomb that demands urgent, globally coordinated action.
The inclusion of several major PFAS under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants marks a critical step in international efforts to reduce exposure and environmental contamination.
Initiatives like FIRE, which aim to eliminate PFAS from high-risk open applications such as firefighting foams, demonstrate how the Convention fosters multilateral cooperation, drives innovation, and transforms practices—ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment and a healthier planet and people.
Through FIRE, participating airports will transition to safer fluorine-free alternatives while ensuring operational integrity remains uncompromised. The initiative expects to facilitate the safe removal of 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated material from fire trucks and the proper disposal of 130 tonnes of PFAS-based foam concentrate, significantly reducing environmental contamination risks.
According to Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, this project empowers countries to eliminate one of the most harmful groups of pollutants found in firefighting foam supply chains. It supports a practical transition to safer, accessible, and affordable alternatives, showing that environmental and health protection can go hand in hand with business and operational viability.
The project has garnered strong support from African aviation leaders, with Dr. Mohamud Gedi of Kenya’s Airport Authority noting that the move aligns with Kenya’s agenda to not only protect public health but the environment as a whole. By phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams, we are safeguarding our communities and contributing to a cleaner, safer future for all, Dr. Gedi said.
This being the first coordinated effort of its kind in the region, FIRE stands as an example to the continent as it addresses immediate contamination concerns. It is turning global environmental commitments into tangible action that protects both people and the continent for generations to come.
