The population of Shi'a in Africa is composed of several, primarily heterodox, communities:
Shia adherents in northern Nigeria.
Shia Islam in Senegal, brought by the Lebanese Sheikh Abdul-Mun'am Az-zain. The Sheikh built Shi'a schools and mosques and helped send Senegalese to Iran or Lebanon to study the religion. 7% of Senegalese people practice Shi'a Islam, most of whom are Twelvers.
Highly persecuted low profile Shia Muslims in Egypt.
Ismaili communities, most of which were established by immigrants from South Asia. These populations are found in:
East Africa, particularly Tanganyika, Kenya, Uganda, Malagasy, and Zanzibar. Such groups include the Khoja, who are primarily Ismaili
Central Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, and Zaire
South Africa