This study highlights the significance of gender differences in perceptions of leadership. More specifically, we examine gender differences in perceptions of effective leadership styles in the context of African countries participating in the Leadership Effectiveness in Africa and the African Diaspora (LEAD) research project, allowing us to evaluate the effect of cultural contexts in African countries. This study suggests that perceptions of effective leadership in a given cultural context are not necessarily replicated in another cultural context and that managers should be wary of such differences. The implications of this are considered in the study.