Microplastics / Nanoplastics in African Aquatic Systems: Current Statistics, Data Gaps, and Opportunities for Scalable Smartphone-Based Detection

Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and nanoplastics are pervasive pollutants in African freshwater and coastal systems, driven by poor waste management and rapid urbanization. This review synthesizes data from key water bodies across Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria. While contamination is widespread—with concentrations often comparable to or exceeding global averages in urban-impacted areas—data remain sparse, inconsistent in methods, and geographically limited. Fibers and fragments of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) dominate. We highlight the urgent need for scalable, low-cost field methods, such as AI-powered smartphone-based optical assays, to enable widespread monitoring and support climate-resilient water management. Summary Table of Representative Microplastic Concentrations Region / Water Body Water (particles/L or /m³) Sediment (items/kg) Biota (items/individual) Dominant Forms & Polymers Key References Lake Victoria (E. Africa) 0.02–2.19 /m³ (up to 124/m³ in bays) 2–108 1–16 (fish) Fibers/filaments; PE, PP, PS Egessa 2020; Atukwatse 2026 Lake Volta (Ghana) ~15.9 (2–54) ~148 (20–460) 2.8–4.7 (fish/prawns) Fibers; PE Various 2024–2025 studies Nile River (Egypt) 2.8–4.5 (up to ~60) 80–520 0.08–5 (fish/insects) Fibers; polyester, PE, PP Khedre 2024; others 2024–2025 South African rivers/coasts ~2.6 (Zandvlei); variable ~70 (Zandvlei); higher in urban Low–moderate in fish Fibers; PE, PP Zandvlei & basin studies 2024 Niger River (Nigeria) Present (variable; e.g. ~0.5–6 /10 mL in some units) Present (high in delta) Limited data Fibers/fragments; PE, PP, PVC 2024–2025 studies Note: Units vary by study; values are approximate ranges from peer-reviewed literature (2020–2026). Methods (e.g., net vs. grab sampling) affect comparability.