European Gasoline Imports Drive West African Import Patterns

West Africa is expected to receive an unprecedented 730,000 barrels per day of gasoline from Europe, primarily for Nigeria, due to low European prices and high U.S. inventories. However, the European gasoline market's rebound may slow the flow in March. The Netherlands and Belgium's fuel export restrictions could impact West Africa's import patterns, while the start-up of the Dangote oil refinery in Nigeria is expected to reduce Africa's appetite to import European products.