Angola
1 Jan New Years’ Day.
4 Jan Martyrs of the Colonial Repression Day/ Memo rial Day.
4 Feb Start of Liberation War.
7 Mar Mardi Gras.
8 Mar International Womens’ Day.
4 Apr Peace and Reconciliation Day.
changes Good Friday.
changes Holy Saturday.
changes Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
25 May Africa Freedom Day.
1 Jun International Childrens’ Day.
17 Sep Nations’ Founder and Na tional Heroes Day.
1 Nov All Souls’ Day.
11 Nov Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are observed the following Monday.
Democratic Republic of Congo
1 Jan New Years’ Day
4 Jan Independence Martyrs Day
17 Jan Assassination of Patrice Ememy Lumumba
18 Jan Assassination of Laurent Désiré Kabila
1 May Workers’ Day
17 May National Liberation Day
30 Jun Independence Day
1 Aug Parents’ Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
Gabon
1 Jan New Years’ Day.
12 Mar Renovation Day.
changes Easter Monday.
17 Apr Womens’ Day.
1 May Labour Day.
6 May Martyrs’ Day.
1 Jun Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
16-17 Aug Independence Days.
changes Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
changes Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Kenya
1 Jan New Years’ Day
1 May Labour Day
1Jun Madaraka Day
11 Jun Kanu Day
10 Oct Moi Day
20 Oct Kenyetta Day
12 Dec Jamhuri/ Indepen dence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
Any holiday falling on a Sunday becomes a public holiday the following Monday.
Nigeria
1 Jan New Years’ Day.
changes Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
1 Oct Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
31 Dec New Years’ Eve
changes Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
changes Eid al-Kabir.
Senegal
1 Jan New Years’ Day.
4 Apr Independence Day
1 May Labour Day
21 May Ascension Day
15 Aug Assumption
1 Nov All Saint’s Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
Moveable holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday and variable Muslim holidays.
Businesses are closed on all Muslim and Catholic Holidays, on Independence Day (April 4) and Labour Day (May 1).
South Africa
1 Jan New Years Day
21 Mar Human Rights Day
changes Good Friday
changes Family Day
27 Apr Freedom Day
1 May Workers Day
16 Jun Youth Day
9 Aug National Women’s Day
24 Sep Heritage Day
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Day of Goodwill
Whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday.
Tanzania
1 Jan New Year 's Day
12 Jan Zanzibar Revolutionary Day
changes Good Friday
changes Easter Monday changes
26 Apr Union Day
1 May Workers’ Day
7 Jul Industrial Day
8 Aug Farmers’ Day
14 Oct Nyerere Day
19 Dec Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
Unless otherwise advised, the public holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year. If any of the public holidays listed below falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is moved to the following Monday.
Zambia
1 Jan New Years’ Day.
12 Mar Youth Day.
changes Good Friday.
changes Holy Saturday.
changes Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
25 May Africa Freedom Day.
1st Mon Jul Heros’ Day.
1st Tues Jul Unity Day.
1st Mon Aug Farmers’ Day.
24 Oct Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Islamic holidays, such as Ramadan and Eid el Fitr (The end of Ramadan), change from year to year and may vary by 1 – 2 days, depending on the local sighting of the new moon. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Travelling during Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. You should be aware that levels of observance of Ramadan will vary in different countries and cultures but most Muslims will conform to some extent with the requirements of the fast - that they fast between sunrise and sunset.
This means they can’t eat, drink, smoke or even chew gum during daylight hours. Muslims use this time of abstention for prayer, contemplation and charitable work. Please note that the precise dates of observation will vary from country to country. If you’re travelling to a Muslim country during Ramadan you should be sensitive to the fast:
Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public – many people will understand that you aren’t under the same obligation to fast but will appreciate your awareness.
In some Muslim countries it’s actually illegal to eat and drink in daylight during Ramadan. Some restaurants will close or operate amended opening hours during Ramadan. Restaurants that cater to tourists should open as usual but hotels will sometimes use screens to keep western diners sectioned off from Islamic guests.
Business hours may become shorter in the day. It’s not impossible to travel or do business in Islamic countries during Ramadan, but different rules do apply.
Iftar is the time each day when the fast is broken and a meal is taken with family and friends. During Iftar there is additional pressure on taxis and other public transport so it’s a good idea to time your movements around avoiding having to travel at this time. As the end of Ramadan approaches there is normally a lot of activity as people traditionally visit families to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of the fast. You should plan accordingly if you’re planning to travel at this time.
