The African representatives of the genus Latrodectus are revised and descriptionptive information is given for males and females. Eight species are recognized and they are L. geometricus, L. rhodesimsis, L. cinctus, L. indistinctus, L. karooensis, L. palIidus, L. renivulvatus and L. tredecimguttatus. Five of these species are endemic to Africa, L. geometricus is cosmopolitan species, L. palllidus is recorded from Russia, Iran, Turkey, Israel and Libya and L. tredecimguttatus is recorded from Mediterranean countries, Saudi Arabia, Central Asia and Ethiopia. The species are divided into two species groups, based on the formation of the female seminal receptacles. L stuhlmanni is synonymized with L cinctus and L insertus with L. renivulvatus while L karrooensis is elevated from a subspecies of L indistinctus. The males of L cinctus and L. renivulvatus are descriptionbed for the first time. A key to the species occurring in, Africa is given.