In Summary

• In North Africa, non-religious identification is rising sharply, even where declared atheism remains statistically marginal.
• Sub-Saharan African states record far lower figures, yet generational patterns show gradual openness toward secular identity.
• The gap between “atheist” and “non-religious” percentages continues to show how cultural pressures shape self-identification in African societies.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, September 15 – Pre-Arabic and European influx, Africa had no known region except for northern Africa, which was originally predominantly Islamic. Most ancient societies were non-religious. 

Over time, religion has earned its right to be considered central to Africa’s social fabric, but new figures suggest that non-religious identities are gradually gaining space. While outright atheism remains rare in most African countries, the share of citizens identifying as non-religious is considerably higher, pointing to nuanced shifts in how faith and identity are expressed.

The World Values Survey (WVS) provides one of the most detailed snapshots of this trend. By distinguishing between atheism and non-religious self-identification, it [find another word for highlights-it is being overly refered to, it makes articles boring]  the complex interplay of cultural norms, generational change, and political environments. In some nations, the official figures for atheism remain below one percent, yet non-religious affiliation rises into double digits.

This ranking examines ten African countries where these shifts are most visible. It places the numbers in context, looking beyond statistics to explain the historical, cultural, and political dynamics that shape them. The goal is to present a factual picture of how African societies negotiate the balance between tradition, modernity, and personal belief.

10. Ghana

The World Values Survey shows that 0.2% of Ghanaians identify as atheists, while the percentage of non-religious citizens is not specified in the dataset. Still, Ghana’s inclusion reflects the presence of a secular minority in one of Africa’s most religious countries. Christianity dominates national life, with Pentecostal and Charismatic churches expanding rapidly since the 1980s, alongside a significant Muslim population and enduring traditional belief systems. In such an environment, even a small share of atheists is notable, as social pressures make public declarations of non-belief difficult.

Ghana’s religious culture is particularly strong in public life. Churches play central roles in politics, social services, and even entrepreneurship, while mosques remain influential across the north and coastal communities. Religious leaders often command national attention, shaping education, morality, and governance discourse. This visibility of faith creates an environment where rejecting religion outright is often seen as challenging both community values and national identity. Consequently, while some Ghanaians may privately question or disengage from religion, very few adopt the explicit label of atheist.

Yet, subtle shifts are emerging. Ghana’s expanding middle class, urbanization in Accra and Kumasi, and access to global education have created a younger population more willing to engage in debates about belief. Humanist organisations, though small, are increasingly vocal, promoting freedom of conscience and offering support to those exploring secular identities. Social media has also amplified alternative viewpoints, giving space for conversations that traditional platforms rarely host. While Ghana’s atheist share remains among the lowest in Africa, the gradual rise of questioning voices reflects an undercurrent of change, showing that even in strongly religious societies, space for secular identity continues to expand.

9. Morocco

Data shows that 35.8% of Moroccans identify as non-religious, though the percentage openly declaring atheism remains minimal. This makes Morocco one of the most significant outliers in Africa, with over a third of its population distancing itself from formal religious affiliation. While the numbers suggest a major societal shift, they must be read against the country’s religious, political, and cultural context, where Islam remains deeply rooted in national identity and law.

For centuries, Morocco has presented itself as a religiously cohesive state under the symbolic authority of the king, who is recognized as Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Faithful). This religious legitimacy has been a central pillar of governance, intertwining state and faith. Against this backdrop, open atheism carries heavy social consequences, explaining why the recorded atheist share is almost negligible. However, the fact that more than one in three Moroccans identify as non-religious reflects a growing gap between private belief and public religious identity. Many Moroccans may continue cultural practices associated with Islam while privately distancing themselves from active faith.

This shift is most visible among younger generations in cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, where exposure to higher education, global media, and more secular lifestyles influences self-identification. Social debates on gender, personal freedoms, and governance have also contributed to questioning institutional religion. Online spaces, especially among the Moroccan diaspora, provide forums where non-religious and atheist perspectives circulate more openly, influencing discourse inside the country. While Morocco remains officially a religious state, the rising share of non-religious citizens suggests an evolving dynamic where secular identities are becoming increasingly significant, even if not fully recognized in public or political life.

8. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of Congo's inclusion reflects both its population size and the challenges of measuring belief in one of Africa’s most religiously diverse countries. With over 100 million people, even a small percentage translates into millions, making the DRC a central case for understanding secular identity in Africa.

Religion in the DRC is a complex mosaic. Christianity dominates, with Catholicism and Protestantism deeply embedded through missionary history, education, and healthcare. Pentecostal churches have expanded rapidly in urban areas such as Kinshasa, offering both spiritual guidance and social services in the absence of strong state institutions. Traditional belief systems remain influential, particularly in rural communities, where ancestral practices continue to shape daily life. In such a context, declaring atheism is rare, as religion is not only a matter of faith but also a social structure that binds communities together. The lack of official data underscores how difficult it is for Congolese citizens to openly identify as secular in a society where religion provides both identity and survival mechanisms.

Still, quiet signs of secularization are emerging. Urban youth, especially in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, are increasingly exposed to global culture, digital spaces, and academic environments where questioning beliefs is less taboo. Civil society organizations have begun advocating for freedom of thought, though in cautious tones. The Congolese diaspora, particularly in Europe and North America, also plays a role by introducing new perspectives on secularism and belief to families back home. While data on atheism and non-religion in the DRC remains limited, the country’s vast population and generational shifts suggest that it may be experiencing a more complex evolution of faith and identity than surface figures reveal.

7. Egypt

Egypt has 0.1% people identifying as atheist and 24.7% identifying as non-religious. This striking contrast illustrates how few Egyptians are willing to openly declare atheism, yet nearly a quarter of the population expresses distance from organized religion. In a nation of over 110 million people, that share represents a significant number of individuals who are redefining their relationship with faith, even if not abandoning it entirely.

Religion in Egypt has historically been central to national identity. Islam is the state religion, and Al-Azhar University in Cairo remains one of the most influential Islamic institutions in the world. Christianity also has deep roots, with the Coptic Orthodox Church playing a defining role in cultural and social life. Against this backdrop, to identify openly as an atheist carries both social and legal risks. Public figures accused of atheism have faced harassment, and authorities have sometimes treated atheism as a threat to national cohesion. This climate helps explain why atheism figures remain negligible despite wider questioning of religious structures.

The higher percentage of non-religious identification, however, signals underlying change. Urban youth, particularly in Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza, are increasingly exposed to globalized culture, secular education, and online debates. Economic pressures, political frustrations, and generational shifts have also contributed to disillusionment with institutional religion. Social media has allowed Egyptians to privately or anonymously express views they cannot voice in public, creating a digital sphere where secular or questioning perspectives circulate. While Egypt’s atheist population is small, the nearly one in four citizens who consider themselves non-religious shows that belief and identity are diversifying, pointing to a society quietly negotiating new boundaries around faith.

6. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe records 0.2% of its population identifying as atheist and 3.5% identifying as non-religious. At first glance, these figures appear modest, yet they are notable within the southern African context, where open declarations of non-religious identity remain rare. Christianity is the majority religion, with Pentecostal and Protestant groups occupying a dominant place in public and private life. This environment contributes to the relatively small share of citizens willing to identify as secular, even when private beliefs may be more fluid.

The historical and political context of Zimbabwe also helps explain the data. Since the colonial period, missionary churches have shaped education, healthcare, and civic life, embedding religious institutions into the nation’s fabric. After independence, political leaders maintained strong associations with Christianity, and religious language often featured in statecraft. This connection between faith and authority created a climate where open atheism carried social risks, particularly in rural areas where church networks are central to community life. Consequently, while some Zimbabweans may privately lean toward secular or questioning views, only a fraction declare such positions in surveys.

Nevertheless, change is quietly taking shape. In urban hubs like Harare and Bulawayo, younger generations engage with global media, alternative philosophies, and more secular academic spaces. Universities have become sites where debates on science, secularism, and identity surface, giving students exposure to worldviews that diverge from traditional religious frameworks. Digital platforms also allow Zimbabweans to interact anonymously or semi-anonymously with wider communities, reducing the fear of stigma. While the percentages remain small, these gradual shifts suggest that Zimbabwe’s landscape of belief is not static, but evolving in subtle and measurable ways.

5. Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s atheist population is at 0.2%, while 6.7% identify as non-religious. Although these numbers remain small compared to global averages, they stand out in a country where religion has historically been a defining marker of national identity. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church dating back to the 4th century. Alongside this, Islam also has deep roots, with both religions heavily shaping cultural life, politics, and social relations.

The relatively low percentage of openly atheist citizens reflects the deeply entrenched role of faith in Ethiopia’s national consciousness. The Orthodox Church retains significant influence, particularly in rural areas, where religious traditions guide festivals, dietary practices, and family life. At the same time, Islam commands strong followings in regions such as Harar, Afar, and Somali, further embedding belief into public life. In such a climate, declaring oneself an atheist carries social and familial implications, leading many who may question religion to adopt the broader “non-religious” label instead of outright rejection. The fact that nearly 7% of the population identifies as non-religious suggests quiet but growing shifts in how belief and identity are being negotiated.

There are also structural factors encouraging this subtle change. Rapid urbanization in cities such as Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Mekelle exposes citizens to globalized lifestyles, higher education, and more secular work environments. Universities in particular have become spaces where students critically examine religious authority, with debates on science, philosophy, and governance often sparking interest in non-religious perspectives. Additionally, Ethiopia’s large diaspora, many of whom live in more secular societies, has influenced conversations back home, especially among the youth who follow global cultural trends online. While Ethiopia’s atheist numbers remain low, the rising non-religious share indicates that the country is gradually diversifying in matters of belief, even if quietly and cautiously.

4. Libya

According to the World Values Survey, Libya records 0.3% of its population identifying as atheist and a striking 23.3% identifying as non-religious. This makes Libya one of the North African states where the gap between declared atheism and non-religious affiliation is most pronounced. While the atheist figure remains statistically small, nearly a quarter of citizens who identify as non-religious point to a major undercurrent in social identity that does not align with formal religious practice.

The context is shaped by Libya’s history and politics. Islam is constitutionally recognized as the state religion, and religious rhetoric has long been tied to governance and law. During the Gaddafi era, the regime tightly controlled public expressions of religion while simultaneously using Islam as part of its legitimacy. In the post-2011 period, instability, militia rule, and competing governments have continued to intertwine politics with faith. Against this backdrop, many Libyans may avoid publicly rejecting religion due to potential stigma or repercussions. Instead, some opt for the safer space of calling themselves “non-religious,” distancing themselves from active religious practice without formally identifying as an atheist.

Despite the challenges, the non-religious share suggests a quiet transformation is underway. Libya’s youth, shaped by the experience of conflict, economic disruption, and exposure to online global culture, are exploring new ways of defining identity outside traditional religious structures. Internet access has created communities where alternative views can be expressed, and diaspora networks provide channels for debate and support. While Libya’s political and social climate still discourages explicit atheism, the fact that nearly a quarter of its population identifies as non-religious shows that the foundations of belief are being renegotiated. This trend, though rarely visible in public discourse, is one of the most significant shifts in the country’s social fabric.

3. Kenya

The World Values Survey records 0.3% of Kenyans identifying as atheist and 7.7% identifying as non-religious. Though these percentages may appear modest, in a country of over 55 million people, they represent a significant and growing community. The contrast between the low atheist share and the higher non-religious figure reflects the broader African pattern, where many citizens may question or step back from organized religion but avoid the more socially sensitive label of “atheist.”

Religion plays a deeply visible role in Kenyan society. Christianity, practiced by the vast majority, is embedded in education, politics, and family life, while Islam has long-standing communities along the coast and in the north. Politicians often invoke religion in campaigns, reinforcing its public role. This environment makes atheism highly stigmatized, with open declaration often leading to social exclusion. Kenya is, however, unique in that it legally recognizes the Atheists in Kenya Society, the first and only formally registered atheist organization in sub-Saharan Africa. Though it has faced court challenges and suspensions, its existence signals a more open, if contested, space for secular identity compared to many neighboring states.

Shifts toward non-religious identity are most visible among younger, urban populations in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Increased access to higher education, secular curricula, and global media exposes Kenyans to alternative worldviews. Online platforms also provide safe forums for debate, especially for those wary of declaring disbelief publicly. The growing conversation around governance, corruption, and social justice has contributed to skepticism toward religious institutions, some of which have been implicated in scandals. While the atheist figure remains small, the nearly 8% non-religious share shows Kenya is gradually broadening its landscape of belief, with legal recognition and civic debate pushing this change further than in most African countries.

2. Nigeria

According to the World Values Survey, 0.4% of Nigerians identify as atheists, while 5% identify as non-religious. In a country of over 220 million people, even these small percentages represent millions of individuals who distance themselves from formal religious identity. Nigeria’s figures are particularly striking because the nation is often described as one of the most religiously observant in the world, with Christianity and Islam dominating nearly all aspects of public and private life.

Nigeria’s religious environment is shaped by both history and politics. Christianity spread widely during the colonial era through missionary schools and hospitals, while Islam has had deep roots in the north since the 11th century. Today, religion plays a visible role in governance, education, and community life, making non-religious self-identification socially difficult. Open atheism is especially stigmatized, and in some northern states operating under Sharia law, declaring atheism can even carry legal consequences. This climate explains why the atheist percentage remains very low, while the “non-religious” figure, though higher still, lags behind other African countries with similar urbanization levels.

Nonetheless, shifts are emerging. In Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, younger Nigerians are increasingly exposed to global perspectives through education, media, and technology. Online communities and humanist organizations provide platforms for questioning traditional structures and supporting those who identify as non-religious. Economic struggles and governance challenges have also fueled disillusionment with religious institutions, leading some citizens to step back from active participation even if they do not declare atheism. Though Nigeria’s numbers remain modest, the presence of millions who quietly adopt secular identities indicates a slow but meaningful transformation within Africa’s most populous country.

1. Tunisia

According to the World Values Survey, 2.2% of Tunisians identify as atheists, while 34.9% describe themselves as non-religious. This places Tunisia at the very Top of the African countries with the most visible secular shift curve, both in absolute numbers and in contrast to its neighbors. Unlike many nations where the atheist share remains below half a percent, Tunisia’s 2.2% figure is relatively significant, showing a population more willing to openly express disbelief alongside a larger group distancing themselves from organized religion.

Tunisia’s trajectory is shaped by its unique political and social history. As the birthplace of the Arab Spring in 2011, the country experienced a surge of public debate about democracy, rights, and identity. Religion was part of this debate, with some citizens becoming more openly critical of religious authority in the wake of political upheaval. The secular traditions of Habib Bourguiba’s presidency, where education and women’s rights were expanded under a modernist vision, also left an enduring imprint. These legacies combined to create an environment where, compared to other Arab-majority states, people feel somewhat freer to declare non-religious or atheist positions, even though stigma still exists.

Recent years have seen further evidence of this diversification. Younger Tunisians, in particular, are more outspoken about secularism, often expressing themselves through online platforms, cultural production, and grassroots activism. Civil society organizations have created space for debate on freedom of conscience, a concept even written into Tunisia’s 2014 constitution. Economic challenges and political instability have also pushed many to question traditional institutions, including religious ones. While Tunisia still faces societal resistance toward atheism, its comparatively high figures reflect a society where belief, doubt, and secular identity coexist more openly and measurably than in most of Africa.