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Gulf Petrochem has launched a dedicated trading desk for Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa at its office in Rotterdam.

The new trading desk comprises three team members with more than 20 years' experience in the region: Ngari Githitho, Gert Nell and Yolanda Nell.

Githitho has been appointed as Trader - Petroleum Products, East Africa, and will report to Avik Ghosh, Global Head - Fuel Oil & Distillates.

Gert and Yolanda Nell have joined as bunker traders for South Africa. They will be reporting to Chris Todd, Head - Bunkering, West of Suez.

Commenting on the new trading team, Prerit Goel, Gulf Petrochem Group Director, said: "The addition of a dedicated Southern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa trading desk will further support our global client base, providing them [with] informed insights into the trading dynamics of the region.

"The two regions have tremendous growth potential and are central to the new global trade links that are being fostered, especially with China's One Belt, One Road initiative. The regions have a strong role in meeting global demand for commodities and serve as a vibrant market for developed and developing nations in meeting their demand for raw materials."

Githitho previously served as a trader of middle distillates at MENA Energy DMCC, where he was involved in the physical oil trading of middle distillates both east and west of Suez.

"He has exposure to calculating arbitrage economics for East of Suez to West and vice versa, to take advantage of the spot opportunities arising," Gulf Petrochem explained.

Githitho also worked in trading and finance operations at MOGAS International Kenya Ltd, and was manager at the import letter of credit (LC) desk at Standard Chartered Bank.

Gert Nell previously served as general manager and bunker trader at both Bomin (Mauritius) Ltd and Bominflot South Africa.

"He successfully built the [Bomin] Sub-Sahara supply network, covering 25 new countries, 50 new ports and more than 500 supply contacts," Gulf Petroleum highlighted.

Yolanda Nell, meanwhile, was previously employed as a bunker trader at Bomin's Africa desk in London and Cape Town. In addition to trading, she was responsible for project support, compliance, legal and accounting structures, and worked as operational and administrative manager and accountant during a career spanning more than 15 years at Bomin/Bominflot.