 Despite numerous studies supporting an African origin and high transmission of West Nile virus WNV in Europe, it is unclear whether WNV circulates between Africa and Europe. Our study shows a Northern-Western African origin of WNV lineage 1L1 with back and forth exchanges between West Africa and Southern-Western Europe and a Southern African origin of L2 with one main introduction from South Africa to Europe and no back introductions observed. We also noticed a potential overlap between L1 and L2 Eastern and Western phylogyography and two aphropeliastic bird migratory flyways. Future studies linking avian and mosquito species susceptibility, migratory connectivity patterns and phylogyographic inference are suggested to elucidate the dynamics of emerging viruses. This article was authored by Julia Minkatelli, Marie-Henry Tewonayong, Andrea Silverge and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.