Cleome, as traditionally defined, is not monophyletic and we here work towards taxonomic revisions for the Cleomaceae where genera reflect morphologically diagnosable monophyletic groups based on previous phylogenetic studies. We provide morphological characters to distinguish eight genera of predominantly African distribution, four of which are new to science: Coalisina, Dipterygium, Gilgella, Kersia, Puccionia, Sieruela, Stylidocleome, and Thulinella. We present new combinations in these genera for 52 species, four subspecies, and seven varieties. Two hundred and thirteen nomenclatural synonyms (homotypic and heterotypic) are treated, as well as nine generic synonyms. Fifty-one lectotypes are designated and two neotypes are created. A key is provided for all 13 genera (native and introduced) found in Africa.