Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement (PNUE) will help African countries to adopt cleaner fuels for their rapidly growing economies.

The head of the transport of the UNEP, Jane Akumu, said during a press conference in Nairobi Thursday that measures will help to improve the quality of the air in the continent.

"We hope that by 2020, the continent will use enough clean fuels to meet global standards", said Mrs. Akumu on the margins of the environmental Assembly of the United Nations being held in Nairobi.

She said that at present, the annual average levels of air in African cities are well above the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Morocco, Mauritius and Tunisia are the three countries of the African continent that use the lowest diesel sulphur. East Africa equally progresess also in the adoption of cleaner fuels.

Fuels containing high levels of sulphur reduce the lifespan of engines due to corrosion. "It is time for Africa to take advantage of new technologies", she continued.

n Eastern Africa, PNUE is assisting Kenya and Uganda to ensure that vehicles on the roads does not pollute the environment.

Mrs. Akumu also called on the African governments to implement policies that encourage the adoption of rapid transport systems of buses, considered as the most efficient transport systems for cities.

Pollutants pose a heavy burden for the economy because of its respiratory-related health care costs.

According to a PNUE study, the cost of polluting the air in African cities is equivalent to 2.7% of their gross domestic product (GDP).

A recent study conducted by the University of Nairobi also indicated that the annual economic loss to Kenya due to emissions from vehicles amounted to $ 1.3 billion.

Mr. Valdes said that exposure to the air that is contaminated with particular material leads to a reduction in life expectancy.

"Research has shown that countries which have eliminated leaded gasoline experienced a decrease in levels of lead in the blood", she said.