Includes the local time zone, typical hours of business and a list of holidays in the country/economy.
Last Published: 7/24/2017

The DRC spans two time zones, which are GMT+ 1 in the Western part of the country, including Kinshasa, and GMT +2 in the eastern part including Lubumbashi.  Business hours for most firms and government offices are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a two-hour break taken at some point between noon and 3 p.m.  It is not unusual, however, for offices to close early in the afternoons.  Many offices in the private sector are open on Saturday mornings, and government officials are often at work but usually do not take visitors. Banks are closed to commercial transactions on Saturdays. See U.S. Embassy Kinshasa for hours.

Congolese holidays include:
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 4: Day of the Martyrs
January 16 and 17: National Heroes’ Days
May 1: Labor Day
May 17: Liberation Day
June 30: Independence Day
August 1: Parents’ Day
December 25: Christmas Day

Note that Congolese holidays are often subject to government confirmation one day in advance, and international organizations and diplomatic missions have varying holiday schedules.

 

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