Indigenous religions in Africa vary enormously between ethnic groups and religions. Often anthropologists and others lump these beliefs together as animism, the belief that all natural things, living and non-living, have a soul. By 1500 indigenous religions remained dominant in the south, much of the west, and the interior regions of Africa.

Islam was introduced to Africa by envoys from Muhammad to Axum. Muslim rule in Africa began in 639, when Egypt was conquered. By 1500 Islam became the dominant religion in northern and eastern Africa.

Christianity was introduced to Africa before A.D. 100 by the early followers of Jesus. Christian rule in Africa began around 321 when King Ezana of Axum converted. By 1500 Christianity survived in Ethiopia and in some North African cities. Parts of southwestern Africa, notably Kongo and N'Dongo, had new Christian converts following their contact with Portuguese traders.

Judaism was mainly practiced in tolerant cities in North Africa. By 1500 there were two additional African groups practicing Judaism, though they were isolated from the Jewish mainstream. Beta Israel in Ethiopia probably converted sometime before 1270. More curious are the Lemba people of South Africa who appear to be descended from Jewish refugees from Yemen in the 500s.