A new report released by Open Doors International paints a grim picture of escalating persecution against Christians in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan regions, with millions facing violence, discrimination, and displacement.
The report highlights alarming statistics for the past year, including 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide, 28,368 attacks on Christian homes and businesses, and a staggering 16 million Christians forcibly displaced due to violence in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
The 2025 World Watch List reveals that over 380 million Christians globally are enduring high levels of persecution, a significant increase from previous years.
Speaking at the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) General Assembly held in Nairobi from May 20-23, George Williams, Open Doors International Director, Africa, said the situation “is becoming unbearable.”
The rise in persecution is attributed to various factors, including extremist violence, authoritarian regimes, and socio-political instability. Militant groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to specifically target Christian communities, leading to brutal attacks and forced displacement.
A critical issue exacerbating the situation is the widespread impunity for perpetrators of violence against Christians. “Many communities are living in fear, unable to return to their homes due to a lack of justice and protection from government authorities,” said Williams.
He highlighted the devastating impact of conflict across Africa, stating that more than 35 significant conflicts are currently raging across the continent. As a result, over 16 million Christians are displaced, with an additional 74 million at risk if conflicts continue. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Christian communities often face harsh realities.
The Open Doors report 2025 World Watch List stated that inadequate resources and institutional discrimination further increase vulnerabilities of displaced people. For instance, data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) suggests that the number of IDPs in regions like Plateau State is severely underreported, leading to insufficient aid.
Local reports indicate that while the IOM documented approximately 54,457 IDPs in Plateau State, local agencies estimate the number to be over 100,000. “This discrepancy highlights the need for better evaluation methodologies and increased funding for IDPs, particularly in regions that are often overlooked,” observed the report.
Williams witnessed the immense suffering of persecuted Christians firsthand, recounting a particularly shocking visit to a displacement camp in Nigeria, where thousands of women and children were living in dire conditions, often without basic sanitation facilities and with a noticeable absence of men, many of whom have been killed.
Decimation of churches
Additionally, Williams revealed that 19,000 churches have been “decimated” across Africa over the last 15 to 20 years. 15,000 of the affected churches are in Nigeria. This devastation, he noted, is a direct result of groups like Boko Haram vowing to eliminate Christian presence in Northern Nigerian states and pushing further south.
Williams shared a harrowing testimony of a Nigerian Christian who witnessed his father and younger brother killed for refusing to renounce their faith. "It is a silent persecution, yet it is shouting out," Williams lamented, emphasizing the incomprehensible scale of the atrocities.
Despite the immense suffering, Williams spoke of the emergence of a "silent church" – marginalized Christians across regions like Sudan and Somalia who are consistently pushed to the fringes of society.
He also highlighted the incredible growth of an "emerging church" in Africa composed of underground and secret believers from Muslim backgrounds, with over 5 million such believers. In 2024 alone, over 4,500 Christians in 12 countries across the Sahel region were killed for their faith, 114,000 Christians forcibly displaced, 16,000 homes destroyed, and over 1,700 churches impacted.
The call to action is urgent, with Williams emphasizing the need for humility and repentance within the church itself, recognizing a "lack of unity". Williams emphasized that the church in Africa cannot overcome these challenges in its own strength, urging a reliance on spiritual power rather than might.
In light of the disturbing trends, Open Doors in collaboration with the AEA announced the Arise Africa campaign, an initiative aimed at mobilizing Christians worldwide to stand in solidarity with their persecuted counterparts in Africa.
The campaign encourages individuals and churches to get informed about the plight of Christians, pray for those suffering, and advocate for an end to violent persecution.
Speaking at the AEA General Assembly, Janet Epp Buckingham, Director of the WEA Geneva office, highlighted the importance of advocacy as a long-term, relational approach, urging Christian leaders to be "Esther's and Daniels" who can engage with government leaders. She also stressed the value of multi-faith responses to persecution, noting that collaborating with people of other faiths can open doors to government engagement.
