Some African countries may be going through the initial stages of the fertility transition. In this article multivariate analysis based on country-level data from 1980 and 1993 assesses spatial variations and changes in fertility rates. Demographic and socioeconomic factors such as education, rural or urban residence, status of women, and use of contraceptives are important factors in determining the onset of the fertility transition. Over the long term, fertility will decline to acceptable levels as Africa continues to experience socioeconomic and cultural changes. Of special importance in the transition is the status of women in society.