[RESOURCE ARTICLE] Public holidays across 50+ African countries 2026

Are you expanding across Africa?  

Find out everything you need to know about the public holidays to look out for in 2026 for better workforce and payroll planning, across ALL of Africa.  

Algeria

• Wednesday, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day (Public Holiday) 
• Sunday, Jan 12 – Berber New Year (Public Holiday) 
• Monday, Mar 31 – Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) (Public Holiday) 
• Tuesday, Apr 1 – Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Holiday (Public Holiday) 
• Thursday, May 1 – May Day (Public Holiday) 
• Saturday, Jun 7 – Eid al-Adha (Public Holiday) 
• Sunday, Jun 8 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Public Holiday) 
• Friday, Jun 27 – Muharram / Islamic New Year (Public Holiday) 
• Saturday, Jul 5 – Independence Day (Public Holiday) 
• Saturday, Jul 5 – Day of Achura (Public Holiday) 
• Friday, Sep 5 – Mawlid / Prophet’s Birthday (Public Holiday)

Angola

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day 
• Fri, Jan 2 – New Year Holiday
• Wed, Feb 4 – Day of the Armed Struggle 
• Mon, Feb 16 – Carnival Holiday 
• Tue, Feb 17 – Carnival 
• Sun, Mar 8 – International Women’s Day 
• Mon, Mar 23 – Southern Africa Liberation Day 
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday 
• Sat, Apr 4 – Angolan Peace Day 
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day 
• Thu, Sep 17 – National Heroes Day 
• Fri, Sep 18 – National Heroes Day Holiday 
• Mon, Nov 2 – All Souls’ Day 
• Wed, Nov 11 – Independence Day 
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Benin

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day 
• Sat, Jan 10 – Vaudoun Day 
• Fri, Mar 20 – Korité (tentative date) 
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday 
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day 
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day 
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday 
• Wed, May 27 – Tabaski (tentative date)  
• Sat, Aug 1 – Independence Day 
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day 
• Tue, Aug 25 – Maouloud 
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day 
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Botswana 

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Wed, Jul 1 – Sir Seretse Khama Day
• Mon, Jul 20 – President’s Day
• Wed, Sep 30 – Botswana Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Note:

Public holidays in Botswana are adjusted when they coincide with the weekly rest days.  

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes the public holiday.  

If any of the following public holidays fall on a Monday, the following Tuesday becomes the public holiday.  

• 2nd January
• 1st October
• Boxing Day

If the Botswana Day (30th September) falls on a Saturday, the next Monday is observed as the public holiday.

Burkina Faso

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Sat, Jan 3 – Revolution Day
• Sun, Mar 8 – International Women’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Korité (tentative date)
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Fri, May 15 – Day of Customs and Traditions
• Wed, May 27 – Tabaski (tentative date)
• Wed, Aug 5 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day
• Tue, Aug 25 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (tentative date)
• Sat, Oct 31 – Martyrs’ Day
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Fri, Dec 11 – Proclamation of Independence Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Burundi

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Thu, Feb 5 – Unity Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Aid el-Fitr
• Mon, Apr 6 – President Ntaryamira Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Wed, May 27 – Aid al-Hadj
• Mon, Jun 8 – President Pierre Nkurunziza Day
• Wed, Jul 1 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day
• Tue, Oct 13 – Prince Rwagasore Day
• Wed, Oct 21 – President Ndadaye Day
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Cabo Verde

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Tue, Jan 13 – Democracy Day
• Tue, Jan 20 – Heroes’ Day
• Tue, Feb 17 – February Carnival
• Wed, Feb 18 – Ash Wednesday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Mon, Jun 1 – Children’s Day
• Sun, Jul 5 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day / Day of Our Lady of Grace
• Sat, Sep 12 – National Day
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Cameroon

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Wed, Feb 11 – Youth Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Djouldé Soumaé (tentative date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Wed, May 20 – National Day
• Wed, May 27 – Tabaski (tentative date)
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Note:

When a civil holiday falls on a Sunday the following day shall be deemed to be a public holiday.

If a religious holiday falls on a Sunday or public holiday the President may by Order declare the following day a public holiday. Muslim religious holidays depend on the sighting of the moon.

Central African Republic

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al‑Fitr / Korité (tentative)
• Sun, Mar 29 – Barthélémy Boganda Day
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al‑Adha / Tabaski (tentative)
• Tue, Jun 30 – National Prayer Day
• Thu, Aug 13 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Tue, Dec 1 – National Day / Proclamation of the Republic
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Chad

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Aïd el-Fitr (tentative date)
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Aïd el-Kebir (tentative date)
• Tue, Aug 11 -Independence Day
• Tue, Aug 25 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (tentative date)
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Mon, Nov 2 – All Saints’ Day Holiday
• Sat, Nov 28 – Republic Day
• Tue, Dec 1 – Freedom and Democracy Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Note:

Paid holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January); Labour Day (1 May); Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence/National Day (11 August); and Day of Freedom and Democracy (1st December).

When these festivals fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday, paid and unpaid.

Unpaid public holidays include: All Saints Day (1 November); Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic (28 November); Christmas (25 December); Easter Monday; Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)/ Maouloud El Nebi; Feast of Breaking the Fast/Aïd El Fitir; and Feast of Sacrifice/Aïd El Adha. These holidays do not give rise to any compensation and an employer may recover the hours lost in other working days.

Comoros

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day   
• Fri, Jan 16 – Leilat al-Meiraj (tentative date)   
• Wed, Mar 18 – Cheikh Al Maarouf Day   
• Thu, Mar 19 – Ide el Fitr (tentative date)    
• Fri, Mar 20 – Ide el Fitr Holiday (tentative date)     
• Sat, Mar 21 – Ide el Fitr Holiday (tentative date)    
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Wed, May 27 – Ide el Kabir (tentative date)     
• Thu, May 28 – Ide el Kabir Holiday (tentative date)    
• Tue, Jun 16 – Mouharam (tentative date)   
• Mon, Jul 6 – Independence Day   
• Tue, Aug 25 – Mouloud (tentative date)    
• Thu, Nov 12 – Maore Day

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day   
• Sat, Jan 3 – Martyrs of Independence Day (observed)   
• Sun, Jan 4 – Martyrs of Independence Day   
• Fri, Jan 16 – Anniversary of President Laurent Kabila’s Assassination   
• Sat, Jan 17 – Anniversary of Prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba’s Assassination   
• Mon, Apr 6 – Kimbangu Memorial Day   
• Fri, May 1 – May Day   
• Sat, May 16 – Liberation Day (observed)   
• Sun, May 17 – Liberation Day   
• Tue, Jun 30 – Independence Day   
• Sat, Aug 1 – Parents’ Day   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Republic of the Congo

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day   
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday   
• Wed, Jun 10 – Reconciliation Day   
• Sat, Aug 15 – Independence Day   
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day   
• Sat, Nov 28 – Republic Day   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
• Mon, Mar 16 – Day After Lailatou-Kadr
• Fri, Mar 20 – Aïd el‑Fitr (tentative)
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday
• Wed, May 27 – Aïd el-Kébir / Tabaski (tentative)
• Fri, Aug 7 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 8 – Day After National Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day
• Wed, Aug 26 – Prophet’s Birthday (Maouloud) (tentative)
• Thu, Aug 27 – Day After Maouloud (newly added)
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Sun, Nov 15 – National Peace Day
• Mon, Nov 16 – Observed National Peace Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Note:

If Labour Day, New Year, Independence Day, or National Day of Peace fall on a Sunday, then the following Monday is taken off (i.e. is observed).
Also:
1. “Day after Lailatou-Kadr” is always a holiday in the policy list.
2. “Day after Maouloud” (Prophet’s Birthday) is also included.
3. Day-after observance applies to Aïd el-Fitr, Tabaski, and Christmas Day when they fall on Sunday.

Djibouti

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Fri, Jan 16 – Isra and Miraj (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day / May Day   
• Tue, May 26 – Arafat Day (Tentative Date)   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday   
• Wed, Jun 17 – Muharram (Tentative Date)   
• Sat, Jun 27 – Independence Day   
• Sun, Jun 28 – Independence Day Holiday   
• Wed, Aug 26 – Milad un Nabi (Tentative Date)   

Egypt

• Wed, Jan 7 – Coptic Christmas Day
• Sun, Jan 25 – Revolution Day January 25
• Thu, Jan 29 – Day off for Revolution Day January 25
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid el Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sun, Mar 22 – Eid el Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Mon, Mar 23 – Eid el Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Mon, Apr 13 – Spring Festival
• Sat, Apr 25 – Sinai Liberation Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labor Day
• Tue, May 26 – Arafat Day (Tentative Date)
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, May 29 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Wed, Jun 17 – Muharram (Tentative Date)
• Tue, Jun 30 – June 30 Revolution
• Thu, Jul 2 – Day off for June 30 Revolution
• Thu, Jul 23 – Revolution Day July 23
• Wed, Aug 26 – Prophet Mohamed’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
• Tue, Oct 6 – Armed Forces Day
• Thu, Oct 8 – Day off for Armed Forces Day

Equatorial Guinea

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day   
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Thu, Jun 4 – Corpus Christi   
• Fri, Jun 5 – President’s Day   
• Mon, Aug 3 – Freedom Day   
• Sat, Aug 15 – Constitution Day   
• Mon, Aug 17 – Constitution Day Holiday   
• Mon, Oct 12 – Independence Day   
• Tue, Dec 8 – Immaculate Conception   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Eritrea

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Wed, Jan 7 – Orthodox Christmas Day   
• Mon, Jan 19 – Timket   
• Sun, Mar 8 – Women’s Day   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, Apr 10 – Coptic Good Friday   
• Sun, Apr 12 – Coptic Easter   
• Fri, May 1 – International Workers’ Day   
• Sun, May 24 – Independence Day   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Sat, Jun 20 – Martyrs’ Day   
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)   
• Tue, Sep 1 – Commencement Day of Eritrean Armed Struggle   
• Fri, Sep 11 – Geez New Year   
• Sun, Sep 27 – Meskel   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   

Eswatini

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday   
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday   
• Sat, Apr 25 – National Flag Day   
• Mon, Apr 27 – Day off for National Flag Day   
• Fri, May 1 – May Day   
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day   
• Wed, Jul 22 – Birthday of the late King Sobhuza   
• Sun, Sep 6 – Somhlolo Day (Independence Day)   
• Mon, Sep 7 – Umhlanga Reed Dance (Tentative Date)   
• Mon, Sep 7 – Day off for Somhlolo Day (Independence Day)   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day   
• Mon, Dec 28 – Day off for Boxing Day   
• Mon, Dec 28 – Incwala Day (Tentative Date)   

Ethiopia

• Wed, Jan 7 – Ethiopian Christmas Day
• Mon, Jan 19 – Epiphany / Timkat
• Mon, Mar 2 – Adwa Victory Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 10 – Ethiopian Good Friday
• Sun, Apr 12 – Fasika
• Fri, May 1 – International Labour Day
• Tue, May 5 – Patriots’ Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Derg Downfall Day
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Sep 11 – Ethiopian New Year
• Sun, Sep 27 – Meskel
  
  

  Note:

  If a public holiday coincides with another public holiday or falls on a rest day designated by law, such worker is entitled to only one public holiday payment for working on such a day. 

Gabon

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Sun, Apr 5 – Easter Sunday   
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday   
• Fri, Apr 17 – Women’s Rights Day   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day   
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary   
• Sun, Aug 16 – Independence Day   
• Mon, Aug 17 – Independence Day Holiday   
• Sun, Aug 30 – National Liberation Day   
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Eve   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Gambia

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Wed, Feb 18 – Independence Day   
• Mon, Mar 16 – Lailat al-Qadr   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday   
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Mon, May 25 – Africa Day   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, Jun 26 – Ashura (Tentative Date)   
• Wed, Jul 22 – Revolution Day   
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary   
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   

Ghana

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Wed, Jan 7 – Constitution Day
• Fri, Mar 6 – Independence Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid ul-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – May Day / Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Wed, Jul 1 – Republic Day (Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving)
• Mon, Sep 21 – Founders’ Day & Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day
• Fri, Dec 4 – Farmers’ Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day
• Mon, Dec 28 – Day off for Boxing Day (since it falls on a Saturday)

Note:

If a public holiday falls on a non-working day, the next working day would be appointed as a public holiday.

Guinea

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Mon, Mar 16 – Lailat al-Qadr (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – National Holiday of the Second Republic
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Mon, May 25 – Africa Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative)
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Oct 2 – Independence Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Guinea-Bissau

• Tue, Jan 20 – Heroes Day   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Sun, Apr 5 – Easter Sunday   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Thu, Sep 24 – Independence Day (National Day)   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   

Kenya

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Idd ul-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Mon, Jun 1 – Madaraka Day
• Sat, Oct 10 – Mazingira Day
• Tue, Oct 20 – Mashujaa Day
• Tue, Oct 20 – Diwali Day
• Sat, Dec 12 – Jamhuri Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Note:

Additional public holidays include idd-ulAzha (depends on moon sighting) and Diwali (according to Hindu calendar), are specified to all the person belonging to the Islamic faith and Hindu faith respectively.

The day in any year on which general elections are held following the dissolution of Parliament and the day during which a President-elect is sworn in, are considered as a public holiday. The Minister has the right to declare, by notice, any day to be a public holiday in addition or substitution of the days already considered as public holiday. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, workers are given a day off on the following working day.

Lesotho

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
• Wed, Mar 11 – King Moshoeshoe’s Birthday
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – May Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Mon, May 25 – Africa/Heroes Day
• Fri, Jul 17 – King Letsie’s Birthday
• Sun, Oct 4 – Independence Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Liberia

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Wed, Feb 11 – Armed Forces Day   
• Wed, Mar 11 – Decoration Day   
• Sun, Mar 15 – J. J. Roberts Birthday   
• Mon, Mar 16 – Day off for J. J. Roberts Birthday   
• Fri, Apr 10 – Fast and Prayer Day   
• Thu, May 14 – National Unification Day   
• Mon, Aug 24 – Flag Day   
• Thu, Nov 5 – Thanksgiving   
• Sun, Nov 29 – William Tubmans Birthday   
• Mon, Nov 30 – Day off for William Tubmans Birthday   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Libya

• Tue, Feb 17 – Libyan Revolution Day
  Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
  Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
  Sun, Mar 22 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
  Fri, May 1 – May Day
  Tue, May 26 – Day of Arafah (Tentative Date)
  Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
  Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  Fri, May 29 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  Wed, Jun 17 – Muharram (Tentative Date)
  Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
  Wed, Sep 16 – Martyrs’ Day
  Fri, Oct 23 – Liberation Day
  Thu, Dec 24 – Independence Day

Madagascar

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Sun, Mar 29 – Martyrs’ Day (Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative – for Muslims only)
• Sun, Apr 5 – Easter Sunday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Sun, May 24 – Whit Sunday
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative – for Muslims only)
• Fri, Jun 26 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Malawi

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year 
• 15 Jan, Thursday – John Chilembwe Day 
• 3 Mar, Tuesday – Martyrs’ Day 
• 20 Mar, Friday – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) 
• 3 Apr, Friday – Good Friday 
• 4 Apr, Saturday – Easter Saturday 
• 6 Apr, Monday – Easter Monday 
• 1 May, Friday – May Day 
• 14 May, Thursday – Kamuzu Day 
• 6 Jul, Monday – Independence Day 
• 15 Oct, Thursday – Mother’s Day 
• 25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day 
• 26 Dec, Saturday – Boxing Day 
• 28 Dec, Monday – Day off for Boxing Day 

Mali  

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
• Tue, Jan 20 – Army Day (Armed Forces Day)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative)
• Thu, Mar 26 – Martyrs’ Day (Democracy Day)
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Workers’ Day (Labour Day)
• Mon, May 25 – Africa Day (Liberation of the African Continent)
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative)
• Fri, Jun 26 – Ashura (Tentative – Possibly Baptism of the Prophet)
• Wed, Aug 26 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawloud – Tentative)
• Tue, Sep 22 – Independence Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Mauritania

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid ul-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, May 1 – Labor Day / May Day   
• Mon, May 25 – Africa Day   
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)   
• Wed, Jun 17 – Muharram (Tentative Date)   
• Wed, Aug 26 – Milad un Nabi (Tentative Date)   
• Sat, Nov 28 – Independence Day 

Mauritius

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year   
• Fri, Jan 2 – New Year (Day 2)   
• Sun, Feb 1 – Abolition of Slavery   
• Sun, Feb 1 – Thaipoosam Cavadee   
• Sun, Feb 15 – Maha Shivaratree   
• Tue, Feb 17 – Chinese Spring Festival   
• Thu, Mar 12 – National Day   
• Thu, Mar 19 – Ougadi   
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)   
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day   
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary   
• Wed, Sep 16 – Ganesh Chaturthi   
• Mon, Nov 2 – Arrival of Indentured Labourers   
• Sun, Nov 8 – Diwali   
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day   

Morocco

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Sun, Jan 11 – Anniversary of the Independence Manifesto
• Wed, Jan 14 – Amazigh New Year
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day/May Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Wed, Jun 17 – Hijra New Year (Tentative Date)
• Thu, Jul 30 – Feast of the Throne
• Fri, Aug 14 – Anniversary of the Recovery Oued Ed-Dahab
• Thu, Aug 20 – Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People
• Fri, Aug 21 – Youth Day
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
• Thu, Aug 27 – The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Nov 6 – Anniversary of the Green March
• Wed, Nov 18 – Independence Day

Mozambique

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
• Tue, Feb 3 – Mozambican Heroes Day
• Tue, Apr 7 – Mozambican Woman’s Day
• Fri, May 1 – May Day
• Thu, Jun 25 – Independence Day
• Mon, Sep 7 – Victory Day
• Fri, Sep 25 – Armed Forces Day
• Sun, Oct 4 – Peace and Reconciliation Day
• Mon, Oct 5 – Day off for Peace and Reconciliation Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Family Day

Namibia

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
  Sat, Mar 21 –
• Independence Day
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Workers’ Day
• Mon, May 4 – Cassinga Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Mon, May 25 – Africa Day
• Thu, May 28 – Genocide Remembrance Day
• Wed, Aug 26 – Heroes’ Day
• Thu, Dec 10 – Day of the Namibian Women and International Human Rights Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Family Day

Note:

If a public holiday falls on the day the employee normally would work, the worker is entitled to a fully paid public holiday.

Niger

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Mon, Mar 16 – Lailat al-Qadr (Tentative)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative)
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, Apr 24 – Concord Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day (Collective Agreement)
• Sun, May 24 – Pentecost (Whit Sunday) (Collective Agreement)
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday (Collective Agreement)
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative)
• Wed, Jun 17 – Muharram / Islamic New Year (Tentative)
• Mon, Aug 3 – Independence Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption Day (Collective Agreement)
• Wed, Aug 26 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maouloud – Tentative)
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day (Collective Agreement)
• Fri, Dec 18 – Republic Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Note:

If a public holiday falls on a weekly rest day (Sunday), the holiday is provided on the following day (Monday).

Nigeria

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid El-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid El-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
  Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Workers’ Day
• Wed, May 27 – Id el Kabir (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Id el Kabir additional holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Jun 12 – Democracy Day
• Wed, Aug 26 – Id el Maulud (Tentative Date)
• Thu, Oct 1 – National Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Rwanda

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Jan 2 – Day After New Year’s Day
• Sun, Feb 1 – National Heroes’ Day
• Mon, Feb 2 – National Heroes’ Day (observed)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (tentative date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Tue, Apr 7 – Genocide Against the Tutsi Memorial Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (tentative date)
• Wed, Jul 1 – Independence Day
• Sat, Jul 4 – Liberation Day
• Mon, Jul 6 – Liberation Day (observed)
• Fri, Aug 7 – Umuganura Day
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary
• Mon, Aug 17 – Assumption of Mary (observed)
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day
• Mon, Dec 28 – Boxing Day (observed)

Note:

Except the public holiday on 7th April (Genocide against the Tutsi Memorial Day), if an official holiday falls on the weekend, the following working day is declared an official holiday.

If two consecutive
holidays fall on a day of the weekend, the two official holidays are compensated by giving a holiday on the one working day that follows. In case of a coincidence of two official holidays, the following working day is an official holiday. An employee who works on an official public holiday is entitled to a rest day equivalent to an official public holiday on which he/she has worked within the next thirty (30) days.

Sao Tome and Principe

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year 
• Sun, Jan 4 – Day of King Amador 
• Mon, Jan 5 – Day off for Day of King Amador 
• Tue, Feb 3 – Commemoration of the Batepá Massacre 
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day 
• Sun, Jul 12 – Independence Day 
• Mon, Jul 13 – Day off for Independence Day 
• Sun, Sep 6 – Armed Forces’ Day 
• Mon, Sep 7 – Day off for Armed Forces’ Day 
• Wed, Sep 30 – Nationalization of the Roças 
• Mon, Dec 21 – São Tomé Day 
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Senegal

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Korité (Eid al-Fitr) (Tentative)
• Sat, Apr 4 – Independence Day
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Thu, May 14 – Ascension Day
• Mon, May 25 – Whit Monday
• Wed, May 27 – Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) (Tentative)
• Fri, Jun 26 – Tamkharit (Ashura) (Tentative)
• Mon, Aug 3 – Grand Magal de Touba
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary
• Wed, Aug 26 – Maouloud (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) (Tentative)
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day
• Mon, Nov 2 – All Saints’ Day (Observed)
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Seychelles

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year 
• Fri, Jan 2 – New Year Holiday 
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday 
• Sat, Apr 4 – Holy Saturday 
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday 
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day 
• Thu, Jun 4 – Corpus Christi 
• Thu, Jun 18 – Constitution Day 
• Mon, Jun 29 – National Day 
• Sat, Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary 
• Sun, Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day 
• Mon, Nov 2 – Day off for All Saints’ Day 
• Tue, Dec 8 – Immaculate Conception 
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 

Sierra Leone

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year 
• Wed, Feb 18 – Armed Forces Day 
• Sun, Mar 8 – International Women’s Day 
• Mon, Mar 9 – Day off for International Women’s Day 
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) 
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday 
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday 
• Mon, Apr 27 – Independence Day 
• Fri, May 1 – International Worker’s Day 
• Wed, May 27 – Tabaski (Tentative Date) 
• Wed, Aug 26 – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date) 
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day 
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day 

Somalia

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year 
• 16 Jan, Friday – Isra and Mi’raj (Common Local Holiday) 
• 18 Feb, Wednesday – Ramadan Start (Tentative Date) 
• 20 Mar, Friday – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) 
• 21 Mar, Saturday – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date) (Common Local Holiday) 
• 1 May, Friday – May Day 
• 18 May, Monday – Restoration of Somaliland Sovereignty (Common Local Holiday) 
• 19 May, Tuesday – Restoration of Somaliland Sovereignty Holiday (Common Local Holiday) 
• 27 May, Wednesday – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) 
• 28 May, Thursday – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date) (Common Local Holiday) 
• 17 Jun, Wednesday – Muharram (Tentative Date) (Common Local Holiday) 
• 21 Jun, Sunday – June Solstice 
• 26 Jun, Friday – Independence Day 
• 26 Jun, Friday – Ashura (Tentative Date) 
• 1 Jul, Wednesday – Republic Day (Common Local Holiday) 
• 26 Aug, Wednesday – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date) 

South Africa

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Sat, Mar 21 – Human Rights Day
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Family Day (Easter Monday)
• Mon, Apr 27 – Freedom Day
• Fri, May 1 – Workers’ Day
• Tue, Jun 16 – Youth Day
• Sun, Aug 9 – National Women’s Day
• Mon, Aug 10 – Public Holiday (Observed for Women’s Day)
• Thu, Sep 24 – Heritage Day
• Wed, Dec 16 – Day of Reconciliation
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Day of Goodwill

South Sudan

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year
• 20 Mar, Friday – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• 3 Apr, Friday – Good Friday
• 4 Apr, Saturday – Holy Saturday
• 5 Apr, Sunday – Easter Sunday
• 6 Apr, Monday – Easter Monday
• 1 May, Friday – May Day
• 16 May, Saturday – SPLA Day
• 27 May, Wednesday – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• 9 Jul, Thursday – Independence Day
• 30 Jul, Thursday – Martyrs Day
• 24 Dec, Thursday – Christmas Eve
• 25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day
• 26 Dec, Saturday – Second Day of Christmas

Sudan

• 1 Jan, Thursday – Independence Day
• 7 Jan, Wednesday – Coptic Christmas
• 20 Mar, Friday – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• 21 Mar, Saturday – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
  22 Mar, Sunday – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
  23 Mar, Monday – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
  12 Apr, Sunday – Coptic Easter
  26 May, Tuesday – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  27 May, Wednesday – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
  28 May, Thursday – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  29 May, Friday – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  30 May, Saturday – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
  17 Jun, Wednesday – Muharram (Tentative Date)
  26 Aug, Wednesday – The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
  25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day

Tanzania

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Mon, Jan 12 – Zanzibar Revolution Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Sun, Apr 5 – Easter Sunday
• Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Tue, Apr 7 – Karume Day
• Sun, Apr 26 – Union Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Tue, Jul 7 – Saba Saba (International Trade Fair Day)
• Sat, Aug 8 – Farmers’ Day (Nane Nane)
• Wed, Aug 26 – Maulid (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) (Tentative Date)
• Wed, Oct 14 – Mwalimu Nyerere Day
• Wed, Dec 9 – Republic Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are kept on those days.

Togo

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year 
• 13 Jan, Tuesday – Liberation Day 
• 20 Mar, Friday – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) 
• 6 Apr, Monday – Easter Monday 
• 27 Apr, Monday – Independence Day 
• 1 May, Friday – Labour Day 
• 14 May, Thursday – Ascension Day 
• 25 May, Monday – Whit Monday 
• 27 May, Wednesday – Tabaski (Tentative Date) 
• 21 Jun, Sunday – Day of the Martyrs 
• 15 Aug, Saturday – Assumption of Mary 
• 1 Nov, Sunday – All Saints’ Day 
• 25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day 

Tunisia

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year
• Tue, Jan 14 – Revolution & Youth Festival (Civil Servants)
• Thu, Mar 16 – Muharram (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Mar 20 – Independence Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Sun, Mar 22 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Thu, Apr 9 – Martyrs’ Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Tue, Aug 25 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Jul 25 – Republic Day
• Thu, Aug 13 – Women’s Day
• Thu, Oct 15 – Evacuation Day
• Thu, Dec 17 – Revolution and Youth Day (Observed)

Note:

In accordance with the Labour Code, workers are entitled to 06 days of paid public holidays, including: Revolution & Youth Festival (14 January), Independence Day (20 March), Labour Day (1 May), Republic Day (25 July), the day of Eid el Fitr (end of Ramadan) and the day of the Eid el Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice).

However, civil servants are entitled to 15 public holidays: First day of the new Hijri year, Mouled (birthday of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH), Eid el Fitr (end of Ramadan — three days), Eid el Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice — two days); New Year (1 January); Revolution & Youth Festival (14 January); Independence Day (20 March); Martyrs’ Day (9 April); Labour Day (1 May); Republic Day (25 July); Women’s Day (13 August); and Evacuation Day (15 October).

Uganda

• Thu, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
• Mon, Jan 26 – Liberation Day (NRM Day)
• Sun, Mar 8 – International Women’s Day
• Fri, Mar 20 – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
• Sat, Mar 21 – Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Fri, Apr 3 – Good Friday
  Mon, Apr 6 – Easter Monday
• Tue, May 26 – Memorial Day
• Fri, May 1 – Labour Day
• Wed, May 27 – Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
• Thu, May 28 – Eid al-Adha Holiday (Tentative Date)
• Wed, Jun 3 – Martyrs’ Day
• Tue, Jun 9 – National Heroes Day
• Fri, Oct 9 – Independence Day
• Fri, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
• Sat, Dec 26 – Boxing Day

Zambia

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year
• 8 Mar, Sunday – International Women’s Day (observed, not statutory)
• 9 Mar, Monday – Day off for International Women’s Day (observed due to Sunday)
• 12 Mar, Thursday – Youth Day
• 3 Apr, Friday – Good Friday
• 4 Apr, Saturday – Holy Saturday
• 6 Apr, Monday – Easter Monday
• 28 Apr, Tuesday – Kenneth Kaunda Day
• 1 May, Friday – Labour Day
• 25 May, Monday – Africa Freedom Day
• 6 Jul, Monday – Heroes’ Day
• 7 Jul, Tuesday – Unity Day
• 3 Aug, Monday – Farmers’ Day
• 18 Oct, Sunday – Prayer Day
• 19 Oct, Monday – Day off for Prayer Day
• 24 Oct, Saturday – Independence Day
• 25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day

Zimbabwe

• 1 Jan, Thursday – New Year
• 21 Feb, Saturday – Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day (observance; statutory since 2018)
• 3 Apr, Friday – Good Friday
• 4 Apr, Saturday – Holy Saturday (observance)
• 5 Apr, Sunday – Easter Sunday (observance)
• 6 Apr, Monday – Easter Monday
• 18 Apr, Saturday – Independence Day
• 1 May, Friday – Workers’ Day
• 25 May, Monday – Africa Day
• 10 Aug, Monday – Heroes’ Day
• 11 Aug, Tuesday – Defence Forces Day
• 22 Dec, Tuesday – Unity Day
• 25 Dec, Friday – Christmas Day
• 26 Dec, Saturday – Boxing Day