(Ecofin Agency) - In response to concerns over emissions and ensuring cleaner fuel, five West African countries are banning European fuels with higher Sulphur levels.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), last week countries like Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast introduced severe standards that will enable cleaner, low Sulphur diesel fuels and better emission standards, therefore cutting off Europe’s West African market. This new development is coming after a report earlier this year revealed how European trading firms are taking advantage of the weak regulatory standards in West African nations by exporting fuels with Sulphur levels 300 times higher than those allowed in Europe.

“West Africa is sending a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe. Their decision to set strict new standards for cleaner, safer fuels and advanced vehicle emissions standards shows they are placing the health of their people first. We need to ensure that all countries urgently introduce cleaner fuels and vehicles to help reduce the shocking statistics,” Erik Solheim, head of UNEP, told Engineering news.

Besides the new fuel standards, the group of West African countries has also decided to improve their public and private refineries so as to meet the same higher standards by 2020.

Anita Fatunji