Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is one of the major threats to cattle health and production in Africa. This article reviews the clinical manifestations, lesions and epidemiology of the disease. The clinical manifestations and lesions are typical and are no different in Africa from those seen in other countries. CBPP is a respiratory disease characterised by pneumonia and serofibrinous pleurisy. The usual form of this disease is acute but chronic forms are frequent, particularly in endemic regions. Hyperacute forms, with a high mortality rate, can be seen at the beginning of outbreaks in newly infected regions. The epidemiology of the disease in Africa is dominated by four factors, namely: cattle are the only species affected, there is no reservoir in wild animals, clinical cases or chronic carriers are the usual sources of infection, through direct contact, and cattle movements play a very important role in the maintenance and extension of the disease. CBPP is widespread in Africa and, according to the Office International des Epizooties and to various reports in 1995, the disease is present in 24 countries of tropical Africa. In western Africa, CBPP is mainly enzootic or sporadic but in some countries the incidence is increasing. The situation in Central Africa is not very alarming. However, in eastern and south-eastern Africa, CBPP has become a major issue, placing southern Africa under direct threat. An evaluation of economic losses due to the disease and the cost-benefit ratio of control programmes is indispensable, since such economic assessments are needed before policy-makers decide on programmes of control or eradication. This is an area which needs to be addressed immediately, as the launching of new campaigns, particularly in eastern and southern Africa, is urgently needed.