•Investigation of the effect of temperature and light on seed germination and emergence of eight African leafy vegetables.
•Maximum germination was found to be at 29–36 °C.
•Maximum emergence was found to be at 25–31 °C.
•Three African leafy vegetables are photosensitive, whilst five are indifferent to light sensitivity.
•Seed germination and emergence were temperature dependent; light positively influenced onset and final germination of three vegetable species.