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Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, sits at an elevation of approximately 300 meters in the Centre region of West Africa's Sahel zone. The city's geography is characterized by a flat to gently undulating terrain on the Mossi Plateau, with no significant bodies of water nearby—the nearest major river, the Nakambé (White Volta), lies about 50 kilometers to the west. This arid landscape, dominated by savanna vegetation, contributes to the city's air quality challenges through natural dust generation. Ouagadougou's urban character blends traditional low-rise mud-brick architecture with expanding concrete developments, creating a sprawling urban-rural gradient where peri-urban areas transition into agricultural zones growing millet, sorghum, and vegetables. The city's location in the heart of Burkina Faso makes it a regional transportation hub, with major roads radiating outward to neighboring countries, intensifying vehicle emissions. Positioned just south of the Sahara Desert, Ouagadougou is directly exposed to the Harmattan winds that transport Saharan dust, while its inland continental setting limits maritime influences that might disperse pollutants. The absence of industrial belts nearby means local sources like waste burning and domestic biomass cooking dominate anthropogenic pollution, exacerbated by the city's rapid urbanization and limited green spaces that could mitigate particulate matter.

Ouagadougou's air quality follows a distinct seasonal pattern driven by the Harmattan wind and monsoon cycles. From November to March, the peak pollution season coincides with the Harmattan, when dry northeasterly winds carry dense Saharan dust across the city, reducing visibility and elevating particulate levels. During these months, temperature inversions are common in the cool, dry mornings, trapping pollutants like vehicle exhaust and biomass smoke near the ground, making early hours particularly hazardous for outdoor activity. Sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, should limit exposure and use masks when outdoors. From April to June, the pre-monsoon period brings rising temperatures and occasional dust storms, but increased thermal convection helps disperse pollutants somewhat. The monsoon season from July to October offers the cleanest air, as southerly winds bring moisture and rainfall that wash dust from the atmosphere, though localized pollution from waste burning may persist. Outdoor activities are most favorable during this wet season, especially after rains when air is freshest. However, the transition months of October and April can see variable conditions as wind patterns shift, requiring monitoring of dust forecasts. Year-round, domestic cooking with biomass and generator use during power outages contribute to baseline pollution, emphasizing the need for indoor ventilation improvements.