The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.
Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.
The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of
York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of
England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that
penalises people with same-sex attraction".
The letter comes as Archbishop Welby starts a five-day tour of four African countries.
'Draconian'
In Nigeria this month, President Goodluck Jonathan signed into
law a bill which bans same-sex marriages, gay groups and shows of
same-sex public affection.
In Uganda - Archbishop Sentamu's native country - a bill
allowing for greater punishments for gay people, and those who fail to
turn them in to police, has been passed by parliament, but blocked - for
now - by President Yoweri Museveni.
The laws have been heavily criticised by gay and human rights groups.
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