Context: Intercropping is a crop diversification strategy that enhances the sustainability of agricultural production systems by delivering a range of ecosystem services. It minimizes the risk of crop failure and increases land-use efficiency. However, limited knowledge exists about the varieties and traits that can enhance the performance of cereal/legume intercropping systems. Objective: This study aims to explore the effect of sorghum genetic variability on intercropping performance and identify the genetic traits of sorghum that most influence the outcomes of intercropping. Method: Thirty sorghum varieties, representing a broad range of diversity, were grown both in pure stands and as intercrops, with a single cowpea variety used as a tester. The experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 in Burkina Faso, using a split-plot design with three replications each year. Genotype rankings were established for both cropping systems, and genotype ׿cropping system interactions were evaluated. Results: The total grain yield of the intercrop (sorghum + cowpea) was not significantly different from that of sorghum grown as a pure crop (2000¿kg ha-1 and 2051¿kg¿ha-1, respectively). However, the intercrop produced more grain protein (290¿kg¿ha-1) than the pure crop (217¿kg¿ha-1). Significant genotypic variability was observed for most traits, with few instances of significant genotype ׿cropping system interactions. No significant effect of sorghum genotypes on cowpea grain yield was found, nor was there a negative correlation between cowpea and sorghum grain yields in the intercrop. In 2021, competition was observed through a negative correlation between cowpea grain yield and sorghum biomass, as well as a positive correlation with sorghum harvest index. However, this competition was not for light, but for water. Conclusions: The choice of sorghum varieties for intercropping in our conditions depends mainly on the farmer's objectives regarding grain quality and production, av