frican nightshades ( Solanum section Solanum ) are an important source of daily nutrients and income for small-scale farmers in sub- Saharan Africa and are a delicacy for urban inhabitants. The section is one of the most ubiquitous, largest and most diverse sp ecies groups of the genus Solanum , with more than 30 reported species. Complete profiling of the species in this section has been hampered by several morphological, cytological and taxonomic complexities. There is great diversity within the section that could be exploited to i mprove African nightshade for greater productivity, income generation and nutritional benefits. This paper outlines some factors respo nsible for the diversity and emphasizes the need for conservation, improvement and utilization of the agrobiodiversity within this section .