The question this study addressed. This systematic review synthesised published CABG outcomes from Africa and added unpublished data from a Cameroonian cohort to identify predictors of early mortality. What this study adds to our knowledge. Pooled early mortality across African CABG series is 3.5%, but reaches 11.2% in some South African reports. In Cameroon, operative mortality was 4.5%. Key independent predictors of death were advanced heart failure (NYHA >III, OR=36.0), prolonged bypass time (≥180 min, OR=2.5) and major blood loss (≥2000 mL, OR=4.0). Across Africa, reduced ejection fraction and high EuroSCORE II also predict poor outcomes. This publication is available in full in Health Research in Africa.