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Abomey-Calavi, situated in Benin's Atlantique Department, occupies a strategic position in West Africa's coastal region, approximately 15 kilometers north of Cotonou along the Gulf of Guinea. This rapidly urbanizing city lies within the flat coastal plain characteristic of southern Benin, with elevations generally below 50 meters above sea level, creating minimal topographical relief that can trap pollutants under certain atmospheric conditions. The city's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Nokoué to its south provides some natural ventilation through sea breezes, yet this benefit is counterbalanced by its location within the densely populated Littoral region, where urban sprawl merges with agricultural zones and informal settlements. Abomey-Calavi functions as both a residential suburb for Cotonou commuters and an independent urban center, creating a complex urban-rural gradient where vehicular emissions from the RNIE1 highway intersect with biomass burning from domestic cooking and agricultural residue burning in surrounding farmlands. The city's position near major transportation corridors connecting Benin to Togo and Nigeria introduces regional pollution transport, particularly during harmattan seasons when dust-laden winds from the Sahara sweep southward. The combination of low elevation, high population density, and mixed land use creates a geographical context where local emissions accumulate readily, especially during periods of atmospheric stagnation, while coastal influences occasionally provide cleansing effects through marine air incursions.

Abomey-Calavi experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by West Africa's monsoon climate, with pollution levels fluctuating according to rainfall, wind regimes, and atmospheric stability. During the long dry season from November to March, air quality typically deteriorates as harmattan winds transport Saharan dust particles southward, creating hazy conditions that peak in December and January; these months see elevated particulate matter concentrations that can exacerbate respiratory conditions, making outdoor activities less favorable, especially for sensitive groups like children and the elderly. The transition period of April to June brings increasing humidity and occasional thunderstorms that help cleanse the atmosphere, though pre-monsoon biomass burning for agricultural land preparation can cause temporary pollution spikes. The peak rainy season from July to September offers the cleanest air, as frequent and intense rainfall effectively washes pollutants from the atmosphere, while prevailing southwesterly monsoon winds from the Atlantic provide natural ventilation; this period represents the optimal time for outdoor activities with minimal air quality concerns. The short dry season in October sees a gradual return of dustier conditions as rainfall diminishes, though pollution levels remain moderate compared to the harmattan period. Throughout the year, temperature inversions are rare due to the tropical climate, but nocturnal radiation fog during cooler months can temporarily trap pollutants near the surface in the early morning hours. Sensitive individuals should monitor local air quality advisories during harmattan episodes and limit prolonged outdoor exposure when visibility is significantly reduced by dust haze.