Islamization of black Africa can be attributed to external forces. Here, the accusing fingers point to Riyadh. The government of Saudi Arabia is involved in promoting Islam south of the Sahara. This is done by providing money through the Saudi Embassy to fund Islamic activities in Africa (See McCormack). The funds are used to build mosques and Islamic centers. For example the Saudi governments are responsible for funding such Islamic organizations such as the Izala of Nigeria and Al-Falah of Senegal. These funds provided by the Saudi government put these groups at an advantage in fostering their Islamic programs "from the bottom up- grassroots methods for the introduction of Wahhabism." The significance of these associations are to promote Islamic ideology and significantly to recruit new members for Islam.

Due to the financial problems facing many African countries the state welfare programs of these various countries are weak. Consequently, non-governmental organizations such as Izala in Nigeria had to fill the vacuum created, that they have become increasingly important by copying socio-economic activities of Christian missionary churches in attracting new members to Islam (Westerlund). In Port Harcourt, Nigeria for example, "Muslims contribute money, food and other items, which are distributed without discrimination on the basis of religion." According to Kilani, these socio-economic activities are to convert non-Muslims to Islam. These outreach programs are very effective in converting the poor who depend on these handouts.

The growth of Islam in Nigeria and Senegal can also be attributed to the resurgence among youths, because of a network of information available through television radio, books and the internet which the youths have access to as compared to older Muslims. These available new tools serve as a catalyst to recruit the youth, not only in sub-Saharan but the world as a whole.