Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Growth Analysis - Market Size, Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2025-2034)

The Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market size reached around USD 52.11 Million in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.30% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 115.67 Million by 2034. The market growth can be attributed to the rising popularity of Bible mobile applications and audiobooks among smartphone users. Moreover, the rising appeal for Bible gifting is also facilitating the market expansion.

Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Report Summary

Market Size 2024

• USD
• 52.11

Market Size 2034

• USD
• 115.67
• CAGR 2025-2034
• 8.30%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Country

• East Africa
• 10.1%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Country

• Southern Africa
• 7.0%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Category Type

• Bible Study
• 9.3%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Language

• English
• 9.1%

Market Share by Country 2024

• West Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Growth

Nearly 24% of the world’s Christian community resides in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, nearly 72% of the population does not have internet access. Poor internet connection is acute in Central Africa with a coverage gap of 34%. Thus, mobile applications like Bible App Lite are expected to surge the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market value in the coming years. These are designed to take up minimal storage space and enhance people’s accessibility to religious scriptures on the go. Industry reports suggest that the app secured the topmost position for popularity on Google Play Store across countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Kenya.

In the past two decades, nearly 1.7 billion Bible books were printed worldwide. However, only 7.1% of them were distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa. By 2060, nearly 40% of all followers of Christianity are expected to reside in Africa. This is expected to increase the demand for Bibles translated into Africa’s native languages. This is favourably shaping the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market dynamics.

Today every 1 of 4 Christians reside in Africa. Nearly 203 Nigerian languages do not have a New Testament in their native language. Besides, the existing translations can be substantially improved by enhancing the binding and structure of the Bible, thereby increasing its longevity among readers.

Key Trends and Developments

Increasing demand for digital bibles; rise in local language translations; increase in Bible publishing and distribution; and growing focus on youth-oriented Bibles are the major factors driving the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market growth.

June 2023

In collaboration with Biblica (a global Bible ministry), YouVersion introduced the Bible App Lite for smartphone users across Sub-Saharan Africa. The application offers daily verses, prayers, and audio Bibles in the user’s native language without using an internet connection.

March 2023

A group of Christian scholars released the book of Matthew and New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in SASL (South African Sign Language). This is expected to enable disabled people in Namibia to access and understand the Bible better. The release of digital copies is also expected to favourably impact the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market dynamics.

March 2021

Namibia’s Bible Society launched a Children’s Bible book originally written in English by Dr Connie Palm in different languages like Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Oshikwanyama, and Khoekhoegowab. The event took place at Swakopmunder Buchhandlung in Swakopmund and at the Cornerstone Bookshop at Walvis Bay.

February 2020

Kenya Hope, a Christian missionary community supported by the government of Kenya, distributed hundreds of audio Bibles to people residing in remote areas. The device is pre-loaded with Bible scriptures and is powered by solar energy. It is essential for illiterate people to access religious scriptures in a non-readable format.

Increasing demand for digital Bibles

The market is experiencing a shift towards digital platforms, with more people using smartphones and tablets to access Bibles. Mobile Bible apps and e-books are becoming popular, especially among younger generations, offering convenience and accessibility. This trend is driven by increasing internet penetration and mobile device usage across the region.

Rise in local language translations

There is an increasing demand for Bibles in local African languages. As literacy rates improve, more individuals seek Bibles in their native languages to deepen their understanding of scripture. Publishers and religious organisations are responding by expanding translation efforts, ensuring that Bibles are accessible to a wider audience and promoting religious inclusivity. This is one of the key Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market trends.

Increase in Bible publishing and distribution

With a growing Christian population in Sub-Saharan Africa, the demand for Bibles is prompting an increase in local publishing and distribution. More publishers are focusing on affordable Bibles to cater to diverse socio-economic groups. Distribution channels, including churches, bookstores, and online platforms, are expanding to meet the rising demand for religious texts.

Emerging focus on youth-oriented bibles

The Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market is seeing a rise in youth-oriented versions. Publishers are focusing on creating engaging Bibles with relevant content for young people, incorporating modern language, graphics, and interactive features. This trend is aimed at attracting younger audiences and promoting scripture reading among the youth in a region where the Christian population is growing rapidly.

Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Trends

Rising prevalence of hearing difficulties

As per the World Health Organisation, over 430 million people worldwide suffer from disabling hearing loss, with Africa accounting for nearly 40 million of them. By 2030, this is expected to rise to 54 million, and furthermore to 97 million by 2050. This has prompted Bible houses to introduce Bible in sign languages for specially abled individuals.There are currently over 400 Bible publishers serving the gospel in 6 SASL congregations across Africa. This is one of the key Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market trends.

Increasing popularity of English Bibles

There are nearly 550 million Christians without a paperback copy of the Bible in Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the prevalence of multiple spoken languages, Bible publishing houses are printing the New Testament in French, Portuguese, and English language. As per the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market analysis, 98.9% of Nigerian spiritualists and youth prefer reading the Bible on their mobile phones in English. Moreover, 93% of over 2,000 church attendees in Nigeria’s rural parts also prefer reading the Bible in English. Thus, with improvements in education and literacy levels, English is expected to become the dominant language for Bible readers, thereby leading to market growth.

Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Industry Segmentation

The report titled “Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Breakup by Language

• English
• Swahili
• Others

Breakup by Category Type

• Devotional
• Bible Study
• Others

Breakup by Region

• West Africa
• East Africa
• Central Africa
• Southern Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market Share

Based on region, the market is segmented into West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Over the forecast period of 2025-2034, the market for Bible in East Africa and Southern Africa is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% and 7.0%, respectively. This can be attributed to the rising popularity of solar-powered audiobook devices and the rising spiritual awakening among people.

As per the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market analysis, the market for the English Bible is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% between 2025 and 2034, aided by rising literacy levels among youth and translation of Bibles by missionary networks.

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by

• Language
• English
• 9.1%
• Swahili

Leading Companies in the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible Market

Key market players, such as the Bible Society of South Africa and Christian Art Publishers, are focusing on expanding Bible accessibility. They are increasing local language translations, distributing digital versions, and partnering with churches and educational institutions to reach wider audiences. These initiatives aim to promote faith and literacy across the region, thereby driving the Sub-Saharan Africa Bible market expansion.