Gabon

Central-African republic independent from France in 1960; a Christian-majority country with a small Muslim minority drawn from northern and West-African migrants and some Gabonese converts.

☾ The Coming of Islam

A recent, migration-borne Muslim presence

Gabon lay outside the historic zones of Islamic expansion; its Muslim community is largely recent, formed by West-African and northern migrants and by some Gabonese converts during the 20th century.

☾ Religious Composition

A small Muslim minority in a Christian-majority country

Gabon is predominantly Christian (with a large Roman Catholic community); Muslims are a small minority, alongside adherents of traditional religions and the syncretic Bwiti practice.

Demographic shares are approximate.

At a glance