A new report by Open Doors International has revealed an alarming rise in violence against Christians across sub-Saharan Africa, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and thousands of churches destroyed.
According to the 2025 World Watch List, over 4,400 Christians were killed for their faith in the past year, and more than 28,000 homes and businesses were attacked. An estimated 16 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa have been forcibly displaced, many living in dire conditions with limited support.
Joshua Williams, Director of Africa Services for Open Doors International, described the crisis during the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) General Assembly in Nairobi. “The situation is becoming unbearable,” he said, pointing to extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP as key drivers of the violence.
Williams noted that 19,000 churches have been destroyed across the continent over the past two decades, with 15,000 of those in Nigeria alone. He also spoke of a growing “silent persecution,” where Christian communities are systematically pushed out or attacked without justice or media attention.
In many areas, internally displaced Christians face not only the trauma of violence but also institutional neglect. For instance, while official estimates from international organisations suggest around 54,000 displaced persons in Plateau State, local reports place the figure at over 100,000—highlighting a critical gap in support and resources.
Williams shared personal accounts from his visits to displacement camps, describing the harrowing scenes of women and children left behind after men were killed in targeted attacks. In one testimony, a Nigerian believer recounted watching his father and brother murdered for refusing to renounce their faith.
Despite this devastation, signs of resilience and faith remain. Williams highlighted the rise of an “emerging church” — secret believers from Muslim backgrounds now numbering over five million across Africa. In 2024 alone, more than 4,500 Christians were killed in 12 Sahel nations, over 1,700 churches were impacted, and more than 16,000 homes were destroyed.
In response, Open Doors and the AEA have launched the Arise Africa initiative — a campaign to mobilise global support through prayer, advocacy, and solidarity with persecuted believers.
Janet Epp Buckingham of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) added that advocacy must be strategic and long-term. She called on Christian leaders to engage with governments like “Esthers and Daniels,” and encouraged multi-faith cooperation to build bridges in tackling persecution.
This is a rewritten version of the original article published on Christian Daily International.
