thumb|right|Distribution of Islam in Africa by country The principal religions of Sub-Saharan Africa are Christianity, Islam and traditional African religions, with Christianity being the largest religion, and religious syncretism being also common. African countries below the Sahara are largely Christian, while those above the Sahara, in North Africa, are predominantly Islamic. There are also Muslim majorities in parts of the Horn of Africa (Djibouti and Somalia) and in the Sahel and Sudan regions (the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Chad), as well as significant Muslim communities in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and on the Swahili Coast (Tanzania, Mozambique and Kenya).Encyclopædia Britannica. Britannica Book of the Year 2003. Encyclopædia Britannica, (2003) p. 306 However, Southern Africa is predominantly Christian. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, as of mid-2002, there were 376,453,000 Christians, 329,869,000 Muslims and 98,734,000 people who practiced traditional religions in Africa. Ian S. Markham,(A World Religions Reader. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1996.) is cited by Morehouse University as giving the mid-1990s figure of 278,250,800 Muslims in Africa, but still as 40.8% of the total. These numbers are estimates and remain a matter of conjecture. See Amadu Jacky Kaba. The spread of Christianity and Islam in Africa: a survey and analysis of the numbers and percentages of Christians, Muslims and those who practice indigenous religions. The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol 29, Number 2, June 2005. Discusses the estimations of various almanacs and encyclopedium, placing Britannica's estimate as the most agreed figure. Notes the figure presented at the World Christian Encyclopedia, summarised here , as being an outlier. On rates of growth, Islam and Pentecostal Christianity are highest, see: The List: The World's Fastest-Growing Religions , Foreign Policy, May 2007. West Africa is the only subregion of sub-Saharan Africa which has a Muslim majority population, and Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa.
thumb|right|distribution of islam in africa by country the principal religions of sub-saharan africa are christianity islam and traditional african religions with christianity being the largest religion and religious syncretism being also common african countries below the sahara are largely christian while those above the sahara in north africa are predominantly islamic there are also muslim majorities in parts of the horn of africa (djibouti and somalia) and in the sahel and sudan regions (the gambia sierra leone guinea mali niger senegal burkina faso and chad) as well as significant muslim communities in ethiopia and eritrea and on the swahili coast (tanzania mozambique and kenya)encyclopædia britannica britannica book of the year 2003 encyclopædia britannica (2003) p 306 however southern africa is predominantly christian according to the encyclopædia britannica as of mid-2002 there were 376453000 christians 329869000 muslims and 98734000 people who practiced traditional religions in africa ian s markham(a world religions reader cambridge ma blackwell publishers 1996) is cited by morehouse university as giving the mid-1990s figure of 278250800 muslims in africa but still as 408% of the total these numbers are estimates and remain a matter of conjecture see amadu jacky kaba the spread of christianity and islam in africa a survey and analysis of the numbers and percentages of christians muslims and those who practice indigenous religions the western journal of black studies vol 29 number 2 june 2005 discusses the estimations of various almanacs and encyclopedium placing britannica's estimate as the most agreed figure notes the figure presented at the world christian encyclopedia summarised here  as being an outlier on rates of growth islam and pentecostal christianity are highest see the list the world's fastest-growing religions  foreign policy may 2007 west africa is the only subregion of sub-saharan africa which has a muslim majority population and nigeria has the largest muslim population in sub-saharan africa