Top 10 African Countries with the Largest Muslim Populations

In Summary 

• One North African country now has over 99% of its population identifying as Muslim, according to its 2024 census.
• West Africa’s Sahel nations are driving Africa’s fastest growth in Islamic finance, with record Sukuk issuances in 2025.
• New education reforms in majority-Muslim regions are reducing illiteracy rates that were among Africa’s highest a decade ago.

Deep Dive!!

Lagos, Nigeria Monday, August 25 - Islam is one of the most practiced religions in Africa, with deep roots that trace back over a thousand years through trans-Saharan trade, migration, and the spread of scholarship. More than forty percent of Africans identify as Muslim, with concentrations in North Africa, the Sahel, and parts of West and East Africa. Recent censuses and surveys show changes driven by population growth, urbanization, and cross-border movements. 

Governments are also shaping how religion interacts with public life, with reforms in education, expansion of health services in rural Muslim communities, and investment in halal industries and Islamic banking. Interfaith initiatives are gaining ground in several regions, countering the narrative of division and highlighting cooperation in multi-religious states. 

This article ranks the ten African countries with the largest percentage of Muslims, using the most recent data, while also examining how these nations are progressing socially and economically within their religious demographics.

10. Senegal

Senegal's latest data shows over 17.4 million of its 17.9 million people identifying as Muslim which is about 97 percent of the population. Islam reached the region through trans-Saharan trade routes as early as the 11th century and shaped Senegal’s cultural, political, and social fabric. Most Senegalese Muslims follow Sunni Islam under the Maliki school of jurisprudence, but the country is especially known for its influential Sufi brotherhoods such as the Mouride, Tijaniyya, and Qadiriyya orders. These brotherhoods extend beyond religious practice, playing vital roles in agriculture, education, and commerce.

Despite its Muslim majority, Senegal is constitutionally secular, maintaining a system where religion and state remain formally separate while still respecting Islamic traditions. National holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Grand Magal of Touba demonstrate the country’s rich Islamic heritage and have become unifying events for citizens across different backgrounds. The Grand Magal, in particular, attracts millions of pilgrims annually, generating significant economic activity and reinforcing Senegal’s position as a hub of religious tourism in West Africa.

Recent developments reflect how the nation is improving within this religious framework. Qur’anic schools known as daaras have undergone reforms, integrating modern subjects to raise literacy levels while preserving Islamic education. The government has expanded health services in predominantly Muslim rural regions, improving maternal and child healthcare, while Islamic finance is emerging as a key economic driver through the issuance of sovereign Sukuk bonds. Alongside this progress, Senegal continues to stand out for its religious tolerance, with interfaith marriages and joint celebrations between Muslim and Christian communities serving as reminders of its social stability.

9. Mali

Mali’s population has about 17.5 million of its 18.4 million people identifying with the faith. Islam has been central to Mali’s identity for centuries, introduced through trans-Saharan trade and cemented during the Mali Empire when cities like Timbuktu became centers of Islamic learning. Today, most Malians practice Sunni Islam under the Maliki school, with Sufi traditions remaining strong in rural and urban communities alike.

Religious life in Mali is blended into its cultural and political landscape. Major Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated nationwide, while local religious gatherings continue to influence community decisions and social structures. Despite challenges in parts of the country due to conflict, Mali retains a long-standing tradition of religious tolerance, with Muslim leaders often involved in mediation efforts aimed at national reconciliation.

Progress is visible in the education and economic sectors connected to the Muslim population. Initiatives to modernize Qur’anic schools are improving literacy rates among children in the Sahel regions. Health campaigns supported by local religious leaders have increased vaccination coverage in rural areas. In finance, Mali is developing interest-free banking options to attract investment and support small businesses, a growing trend in West Africa’s Muslim-majority states.

8. Tanzania

Tanzania has about 19.4 million of its 54.2 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam arrived on the Swahili coast through trade with Arab merchants centuries ago and remains deeply rooted in the culture of coastal regions such as Zanzibar, Pemba, and parts of the mainland. The majority of Tanzanian Muslims follow Sunni Islam, with strong influences from the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence and long-standing Sufi traditions that continue to shape spiritual practices and community life.

Religious observance in Tanzania is particularly visible in Zanzibar where Islam is central to social life and governance, and where festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated with large public gatherings. On the mainland, Muslim communities are integrated across urban centers such as Dar es Salaam and Tanga, contributing to trade, education, and politics. The country operates as a secular state, and despite occasional tensions, Muslims and Christians largely coexist peacefully, with interfaith dialogue encouraged at both community and national levels. Tanzania also ranks has one of the most religious country in Africa 2025

Recent efforts have aimed at improving living standards in predominantly Muslim areas. Zanzibar has implemented education reforms that integrate science and technology into Islamic schools to increase opportunities for young people. Health programs targeting maternal care and child immunization have reduced preventable diseases in coastal regions. The government is also exploring Islamic finance frameworks to support small-scale entrepreneurs, signaling a growing role for Muslim communities in Tanzania’s economic development.

7. Niger

Niger has around 21.1 million of its 21.5 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam reached the region through trans-Saharan trade long before colonial times and is now central to Niger’s cultural and social identity. The vast majority of Nigeriens follow Sunni Islam within the Maliki school of jurisprudence, with Sufi brotherhoods such as the Tijaniyya playing a prominent role in religious life and community organization.

Religious practices are deeply integrated into Nigerien society. Major festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated nationwide, and Islamic leaders often hold significant influence in local governance and conflict resolution. Although Niger faces economic and environmental challenges as a Sahelian country, its Islamic institutions frequently contribute to social stability by supporting education, mediation efforts, and humanitarian aid.

Recent initiatives show progress in sectors closely tied to Muslim communities. The government has worked with religious leaders to improve access to education in rural areas, particularly for girls, through modernized Islamic schools. Health campaigns addressing child malnutrition and vaccination have expanded in partnership with local mosques. Niger has also begun to explore Islamic microfinance as a tool for empowering small farmers and traders, reflecting a broader move to link religious networks with economic development.

6. Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the largest Muslim populations in East Africa, with about 34.7 million of its 110.9 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam has been present in Ethiopia since the 7th century when early followers of the Prophet Muhammad sought refuge in the ancient kingdom of Aksum. Today, Muslims are spread across several regions, with significant populations in Oromia, Afar, Somali, and Harari. Most Ethiopian Muslims are Sunni, influenced by the Shafi’i school, while Sufi practices remain part of local traditions.

Religious life in Ethiopia is marked by deep historical roots and cultural diversity. Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are widely observed, and mosques like the Al Nejashi Mosque in Tigray stand as symbols of the country’s ancient Islamic heritage. Ethiopia is officially a secular state, but Muslim communities play a major role in trade, education, and politics, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions. Interfaith coexistence has long been part of Ethiopia’s identity, with Muslims and Christians sharing many cultural spaces despite occasional tensions.

Development efforts are increasingly reaching Muslim-majority areas. Government and private initiatives are expanding access to education in regions with historically low enrollment, while health campaigns have improved maternal and child healthcare. Islamic charities contribute to social welfare programs, and there is growing interest in Islamic finance to support entrepreneurship in areas like agriculture and small-scale industry. 

5. Morocco

Morocco has about 36.3 million of its 36.7 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam has been the dominant faith in Morocco since the 7th century, shaping its legal systems, architecture, and cultural traditions. The country follows Sunni Islam under the Maliki school of jurisprudence, with a strong tradition of Sufism that continues to influence spiritual life and community practices.

Religion is deeply tied to Morocco’s national identity and governance. The King of Morocco holds the title “Commander of the Faithful,” reflecting his constitutional role as both a political and religious leader. Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mawlid are national events, and daily prayers are an integral part of life in cities and rural communities alike. Historic mosques like the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez draw worshippers and visitors from around the world, reinforcing Morocco’s reputation as a center of Islamic heritage.

In recent years, Morocco has invested in modernizing religious education and training imams to promote moderate interpretations of Islam. Programs aimed at improving literacy and healthcare in remote Muslim communities have shown results, while Islamic finance is steadily growing through the introduction of participatory banking.

4. Sudan

Sudan has about 38.5 million of its 40.8 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam has shaped Sudan’s identity for centuries, introduced through trade and migration along the Nile and the Red Sea. The population follows mainly Sunni Islam under the Maliki and Shafi’i schools of jurisprudence, with Sufi orders like the Tijaniyya and Qadiriyya maintaining a strong influence over religious and cultural practices.

Religious life is a defining feature of Sudan’s society. Major Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated nationwide, and religious leaders often play important roles in community mediation and decision-making. While Sudan has faced political and economic challenges in recent years, its Islamic institutions remain central to social cohesion and cultural continuity.

Recent efforts have focused on improving life in majority-Muslim areas through education and development programs. Initiatives to integrate modern curricula into religious schools aim to increase literacy and employability among young people. Healthcare projects supported by both local organizations and international partners are addressing maternal health and nutrition in rural communities. There is also a growing interest in Islamic banking, with new policies encouraging financial inclusion in underserved regions.

3. Algeria

Algeria has one of the most homogenous Muslim populations in Africa, with about 43.7 million of its 44.2 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam was introduced to the region in the 7th century and has since become a core part of Algerian culture, law, and national identity. The population is overwhelmingly Sunni, following the Maliki school of jurisprudence, with a history of Sufi brotherhoods contributing to spiritual life and local governance in rural communities.

Religion plays a visible role in daily life across Algeria. Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are nationally observed, and Friday prayers bring communities together in cities and villages alike. Mosques serve not only as places of worship but also as centers for education and community initiatives. The state recognizes Islam as the religion of the nation while maintaining institutions that manage religious affairs and education.

Algeria has been expanding programs aimed at supporting its Muslim-majority population through modern reforms. Religious schools have incorporated science and technology into their curricula, and literacy rates have improved significantly in rural areas over the past decade. The country is also developing its Islamic finance sector, with participatory banking options attracting investment for infrastructure and entrepreneurship. 

2. Egypt

Egypt has about 90 million of its 95 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam has been central to Egyptian society since its introduction in the 7th century, shaping the country’s history, governance, and culture. The majority of Egyptians follow Sunni Islam under the Shafi’i and Hanafi schools, and the country is home to Al-Azhar University, one of the world’s oldest and most influential centers of Islamic scholarship.

Religion remains deeply embedded in Egypt’s public and private life. Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated nationwide, and mosques are integral parts of communities in both urban and rural areas. Cairo’s historic mosques, including Al-Azhar Mosque and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, stand as symbols of Egypt’s enduring religious heritage and its role as a leader in the Muslim world.

In recent years, Egypt has focused on reforming religious education and modernizing its religious institutions to address contemporary challenges. The government supports initiatives to combat illiteracy in rural Muslim communities, expand healthcare access, and grow Islamic finance through Sukuk bonds and Sharia-compliant banking. 

1. Nigeria

Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in Africa, with about 97 million of its 200 million people identifying as Muslim. Islam entered northern Nigeria through trans-Saharan trade as early as the 11th century and expanded through the Sokoto Caliphate in the 19th century, leaving a lasting influence on the country’s cultural and political structures. Today, Muslims form a majority in the northern states and are also present in parts of the southwest.

Religion plays a significant role in Nigerian society, particularly in the northern regions where Islamic traditions shape daily life, education, and governance. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated across the country, and major cities like Kano, Sokoto, and Maiduguri are recognized centers of Islamic learning and culture. Nigeria’s diverse Muslim population includes Sunni adherents under the Maliki school, as well as Sufi orders like the Qadiriyya and Tijaniyya, which remain influential in religious and social life.

Recent initiatives highlight progress within Muslim-majority communities. Northern states have introduced education reforms to improve access to schooling, especially for girls, and have integrated vocational training into Qur’anic schools. Health campaigns supported by local religious leaders have increased immunization coverage and maternal healthcare in rural areas. Nigeria is also advancing in Islamic finance, with the expansion of non-interest banking and Sukuk bonds funding key infrastructure projects.