Paussini (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae) from the collections of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History were studied and identified. The species are mainly from Africa with one each from the Middle East and India. The collection consists of long series from different localities but is especially rich in specimens from Malawi with eight species recorded from there for the first time. The paper also presents first records for many other African countries. In the framework of a revisionary treatment of the Paussus cucullatus Group sensu stricto, type material of Paussus semicucullatus Wasmann, Paussus pseudocucullatus Nagel, and Paussus conradti Kolbe were studied. It is shown that Paussus elizabethae Péringuey, 1897, is a valid species and not a synonym of P. conradti Kolbe, 1896. Paussus phyllocerus Reichensperger, 1925, is recognized as a new synonym of Paussus excavatus Westwood, 1833. Two species from Malawi are described as new to science: Paussus buet-tikeri, new species, and Paussus rawlinsi, new species. One key each is provided for ease of identification of species closely related to P. cucullatus Westwood and Paussus manicanus Péringuey, respectively. All available type specimens and many other species are shown in drawings.