As of 2019, this is the only Shaft feature not directed by an African-American.
When this film fizzled at the box office, the John Shaft character was sold to television. The TV series lasted 7 episodes.
James Bond is mentioned when Shaft is seeing his weapons. Three actors in this film have also appeared in the James Bond 007 films, Marne Maitland appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Frank McRae appeared in Licence to Kill (1989), and Nadim Sawalha appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
The opening credits of Shaft In Africa reuse the MPAA registration number of Shaft's Big Score! - 23262.