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Nigeria and four other countries in West Africa have decided to stop importing "dirty fuels" from Europe, the UN Environment Programme says.
A recent report obtained by BBC revealed that European companies were exploiting weak regulations in West Africa to export fuels with high levels of sulphur.
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire agreed on the import ban.
The UN says the move will help more than 250 million people breathe safer and cleaner air.
The sulphur particles emitted by a diesel engine are considered to be a major contributor to air pollution and are ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top global health risks.
Erik Solheim, the head of UN Environment Programme, hailed the import ban.
"West Africa is sending a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe," Mr Solheim said.
A recent report obtained by BBC revealed that European companies were exploiting weak regulations in West Africa to export fuels with high levels of sulphur.
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire agreed on the import ban.
The UN says the move will help more than 250 million people breathe safer and cleaner air.
The sulphur particles emitted by a diesel engine are considered to be a major contributor to air pollution and are ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top global health risks.
Erik Solheim, the head of UN Environment Programme, hailed the import ban.
"West Africa is sending a strong message that it is no longer accepting dirty fuels from Europe," Mr Solheim said.