The present invention relates to an active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The active material includes an active material and a fiber-shaped or tube-shaped carbon conductive material attached to the surface of the active material. The active material includes a conductive shell including a fiber-shaped or tube-shaped carbon conductive material and increases discharge capacity due to improved conductivity and improves cycle-life efficiency by maintaining paths between active material particles during charge and discharge cycles.