African country elevated about introduction of state religion (5)
I believe the answer is:
islam
'religion' is the definition.
(Islam is an example)
'african country elevated about introduction of state' is the wordplay.
'african country' becomes 'mali' (Mali is an example).
'elevated' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'introduction of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'state' is 's'.
'mali' reversed gives 'ilam'.
'ilam' enclosing 's' is 'ISLAM'.
(Other definitions for islam that I've seen before include "organised religion" , "Mails to Muslim religion" , "Religion based on Muhammad's teachings" , "Creed" , "Adherents of a religion" .)