In sub-Saharan Africa, Christianity and Islam have grown and are expected to experience continued growth. In fact, these two global religions are spreading more quickly in sub-Saharan Africa than in any other region in the world. Between 1990 and 2000 the number of Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa grew by between thirty and forty million, from one hundred and twenty million to more than one hundred and fifty million (Quinn & Quinn 2003; Barrett et al. 2001). During the same period the number of Christians grew by nearly ninety million, from two hundred and seventy million to three hundred and sixty million (Barrett et al. 2001). Christianity is expected to grow most dramatically in Africa between 2010 and 2050, as shown in Figure 5.1, and Africa is second only to Asia in terms of projected Islamic growth during that same period, as shown in Figure 5.2.

There is good reason to think that Christianity and Islam have grown and are expected to grow in sub-Saharan Africa in large part because the local religious communities that represent these two world religions in the region are important for more than spiritual reasons, strictly defined. Whether it is the delivery of basic healthcare, the provision of formal education, physical security or a social safety net, such religious communities continue to perform many of the functions that the state and secular institutions do where the state is stronger, populations are wealthier and governments are more responsive and accountable. Many Christian and Muslim communities in sub-Saharan Africa serve as forums where people are free to discuss social, economic and political issues without fear of harassment. Through Christian and Muslim religious communities people may attempt to escape a predatory state or they may be mobilized to actively support the government of the day or to work for political change. Tolerance and moderation or intolerance and extremism may be encouraged in Christian and Muslim religious communities (Appleby 1999).

Given the continued growth and importance of Christianity and Islam in many African societies, how, if at all, do Christianity and Islam affect political attitudes and behaviors? More specifically, what effect do and will Christianity and Islam have on the prospects for and the quality of liberal democracy in sub-Saharan Africa or a political system characterized by freedom of speech, freedom of association and elections that are regular, free and fair?