African name for the wood of Entandrophragma cylindricum , belonging to the mahogany family, which occurs in central Africa. It is often used for furniture and instruments. It is light or dark red to coffee brown, has a beautiful grain and is stiffer and harder to work than mahogany. It is durable, but tends to darken. It is exported in large quantities and is therefore considered endangered.

The name comes from the city of Sapele in Nigeria (Nigeria), where there are rich sapele forests.