Tanzania ranks top in Bible engagement on Easter Sunday

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania has been named among the top African countries recording the highest levels of Bible engagement on Easter Sunday, as global figures surged to 21.6 million users, according to the latest report by YouVersion Bible App.

Apart from Tanzania, other countries where Easter Sunday recorded the highest Bible engagement were Uganda and Ethiopia, while South Africa ranked highest on Good Friday.

“In Kenya, Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, ranks as the top day for Bible engagement, while Easter Sunday comes second,” said a statement made available to the Daily News.

The report noted that YouVersion Bible App, the world’s most popular Bible application, recorded new milestones throughout Holy Week, with an average of 18.7 million people engaging with the Bible daily across its family of apps.

It added that global Bible engagement during Holy Week grew by 15 percent compared to last year, with every region recording significant increases. Sub-Saharan Africa registered a 37 percent year-on-year growth, while Latin America recorded a 22 percent rise, representing millions of people engaging with Scripture across regions.

According to the report, Easter remains one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar, with many people—both lifelong Christians and those curious about the Easter story—engaging more deeply with Scripture during Lent and Holy Week.

In 2026, the most engaged verse was from the Bible, Matthew 28:6: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

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Commenting on the findings, Joseph Gachira said there has been steady growth in interest in the Bible across Africa, reflecting a broader global trend.

“This is particularly significant at Easter, when both committed Christians and those seeking to understand the Easter story turn to the Bible for encouragement, guidance and answers. Seeing so many Africans engage with Scripture is a great reminder of why we do what we do,” he said.

On his part, Bobby Gruenewald said Easter has historically been one of the peak periods for engagement each year.

“It is encouraging to see interest and engagement in God’s Word increase every year, especially around Easter when we remember Jesus’ sacrifice and love for the world,” he said.

The YouVersion Bible App provides access to the Bible in more than 2,400 languages and over 3,750 translations, along with video content and Bible plans developed in partnership with ministries worldwide.

The platform, powered by tens of thousands of partners globally, also featured content during Holy Week from productions such as The Chosen, BibleProject, and Museum of the Bible, helping bring the Easter story to life for millions of users.