Where does Catholicism stand in Africa today?

Christianity was introduced to Africa as early as the first century, taking root from Egypt to present-day Morocco, as well as in Algeria. It was modern-day Algeria in fact, that was the home of the great St. Augustine. Pope Leo XIV went to pray at the site of his spiritual mentor, taking in the places where he lived and served as bishop of the ancient city of Hippo.

However, since the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, the continent's Christian presence has become a tiny minority, with the notable exception of the Copts in Egypt — Africa's oldest Christian presence — alongside the Orthodox churches of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

After a long absence, the Catholic Church regained a significant foothold in Africa during the colonial period. Its presence is concentrated particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, Central Africa, and the eastern coast. By visiting Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea this April, Pope Leo XIV journeyed straight to the heart of Catholic Africa.

According to figures from the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), an American NGO that maintains a World Religion Database, the largest Catholic countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo (59 million Catholics), Nigeria (30 million), Uganda (21 million), Kenya (16 million), and Tanzania (15 million). These are among the most populous countries on the continent. Catholicism is less prevalent in other demographic giants like Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, and Sudan.

Looking at the countries where Catholicism holds the strongest majority, a slightly different map emerges. There is a very strong presence in Central Africa, a solid footprint on the eastern coast, a more diffuse presence in the Gulf of Guinea, and particularly weak numbers in Southern Africa, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa.

Former Portuguese colonies, notably Angola and Mozambique, are among the most Catholic countries. The record, however, goes to the Portuguese-speaking archipelago of Cape Verde, where 80% of the population is Catholic.

Catholicism is the leading religion in 15 of Africa's 54 countries: Cape Verde, Cameroon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Gabon, Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Lesotho, Mozambique, and the Seychelles.

In the northern and eastern parts of the continent, largely Muslim or traditionally Orthodox countries, Catholicism is very often a tiny minority. In the Gulf of Guinea — particularly in Cameroon, which Pope Leo XIV visited — Catholicism often competes with Islam, traditional religions, and Protestantism.

For historical reasons, Catholicism is often less established than Protestantism or independent churches in former British colonies like Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and South Africa. It's also worth noting the strong presence of syncretic religions in sub-Saharan Africa, where Christian religious practice is often steeped in traditional beliefs.