The recent launch of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) allows for new understanding of convective processes in remote areas of Equatorial Africa. Time averaged rainfall statistics during September, October and November of 1998 for TRMM merged data and TRMM Precipitation Radar data are compared to long-term averages. The TRMM precipitation radar data shows the highest convective rainfall rates and mean storm heights in October occurring west of the East African Highlands. This area is downstream of savanna fires and could serve as an important region for the vertical transport of pollutants, which are then transported westward in the upper troposphere contributing to the high ozone values over the Tropical eastern Atlantic ocean. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union