According to research conducted by Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne, Christians now account for 53 per cent of the continent's population, while 46 per cent are Muslim and eight per cent follow traditional African religions.
Among African countries 31 have Christian majorities, 21 have Muslim majorities and six have populations that adhere mostly to traditional African religions.
If the trend continues, in 10 years' time Africans will form the largest continental bloc of Christians, outnumbering Europeans and Americans.
The results of the study were presented during a conference organised by the Centre for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) in Morocco.
Mr Introvigne also speculated that the spread of Christianity could have prompted recent church attacks by Islamists.