Welcome to
Faith & Freedom Africa!

An initiative to raise awareness of and support for freedom of religion or belief (FORB).

What is FORB?

FORB stands for Freedom of Religion or Belief. It refers to the fundamental human right that allows individuals and communities to freely hold, practice, express, and change their religious or non-religious beliefs without fear of discrimination, persecution, or coercion. This right is enshrined in various international human rights frameworks, such as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 18 of the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Why is defending and advancing FORB in Africa important?

The need for Africa’s citizens, families, communities, governments, and other organisations at national and regional levels to defend and advance FORB has never been more pressing. There are several reasons why this is so:

Africa is deeply religious

One might argue that to resist or act against FORB (as several African state and non-state actors are doing), runs counter to Africa’s and African identity.

According to Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan research network, “More than nine in 10 Africans (95%) identify with a religion. A majority say they are Christians (56%), while one in three (34%) self-identify as Muslim.” This does not deny the African identity of non-religious Africans, nor their right to not affiliate with or live according to any religious belief.

The benefits of religion are well documented in scholarly work. The African Union, through its Agenda 2063 document, recognises these benefits, even if implicitly. According to Agenda 2063:

“Our diversity in culture, heritage, languages and religion shall be a cause of strength.”
“Africa is a continent of people with religious and spiritual beliefs, which play a profound role in the construction of the African identity and social interaction.”
“Africa shall be an inclusive continent where no child, woman or man will be left behind or excluded, on the basis of gender, political affiliation, religion, ethnic affiliation, locality, age or other factors.”

While the aspirations involving religion in Agenda 2063 are necessary and noble, there are challenges confronting their advancement and achievement. These challenges serve as further reasons why defending and advancing FORB in Africa is important.

Africa is the new terrorism epicentre

Secondly, in 2024, Africa was designated “the new global terrorism epicentre” – a designation the continent has retained in 2025. In 2025, 6 African countries occupy the top 10 rankings of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI): Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, and Cameroon.

The designation of Africa as the new global terrorism epicentre is relevant because in the African context, terrorism often involves the violent targeting of people groups based on religion or belief. Recognition of “the rapid expansion of militant jihadist groups” in the GTI 2025 report reflects this reality.

Africans experience significant religious persecution

Thirdly, Africa continues to feature prominently in the Open Doors annual World Watch list (WWL) – a ranking of the 50 countries in the world where Christians experience the most severe persecution. Almost half of the countries ranked in the WWL 2025, are from Africa. Five African countries feature in the top 10: Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, and Nigeria.

The WWL focuses specifically on the persecution of Christians. Nevertheless, it serves as an indicator of religious persecution broadly, and the degree to which FORB is restricted in Africa, at least in the Christian context. There is no denying that persons from other faith groups in Africa are also victims of terrorism, including in the form of religious persecution.

Many African countries are poorly governed

Finally, Africa continues to perform poorly compared to other regions on good governance indicator rankings. Because a positive relationship exists between FORB, peace and security, women’s empowerment, and economic development, FORB encourages, and is a key feature of, good governance. Therefore, the more the citizens of any African country have the freedom to live according to their beliefs, religious or otherwise, while respecting the rights of others, the greater the potential for the country in question to experience peace and prosperity. Conversely, the more a country’s citizens are restricted concerning FORB, as is the case with increasing religion-based terrorism and other forms of religious persecution in Africa, the greater the potential for peace and prosperity is eroded.

Faith & Freedom Africa supports FORB through in-person FORB education and training events, its tailored FFA Good Governance Short Course, and the FFA online micro-course…

In-person FORB education and training

Learn more about country specific, in-person FORB education and training events.

Good governance education

Find out more about the upcoming FFA Good Governance Short-Course offering in Nigeria.

FFA online micro-course

Complete the free, entry-level FFA online micro-course in 60-90 minutes.

Faith & Freedom Africa is an Aflame initiative
For more information about FFA or its projects, please email info@faithandfreedom.africa

Welcome to Faith & Freedom Africa!