Under the principle of priority, Memecylon liberiae is the correct name for the West African species previously known as M. aylmeri. A lectotype is designated for M. liberiae from the original material rediscovered in the Berlin herbarium. Use of the neotype designated by Jacques-Félix must therefore be abandoned. A new species M. emancipatum is proposed to replace M. liberiae sensu Jacques-Félix. A revised identification key is provided for the West African species of Memecylon sensu stricto.