Africa Time Zone News and Updates for 2026
Only three African countries observe daylight saving time in 2026, and just one of those, Egypt, has a volatile DST status that demands annual checking before you make travel or business plans.
Is Egypt still changing its clocks in 2026?
Egypt reinstated DST in 2023 after abolishing it in 2015. As of October 2026, Egypt is on EEST (UTC+3), meaning DST is active. Do not assume this stays. The government has flip-flopped repeatedly. Check annually before scheduling calls or flights. Egypt’s DST period typically runs from late April to late October, but confirm current dates each year.
When does Morocco suspend DST for Ramadan in 2026?
Morocco observes DST (UTC+1) during summer and returns to UTC+0 in winter. The exception: DST is suspended during Ramadan, when the country shifts back to standard time. Ramadan dates move roughly 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. In 2026, Ramadan begins around February 18 and ends around March 19, so Morocco suspends DST during that window. Western Sahara follows Morocco’s schedule de facto.
Has South Sudan moved to EAT yet?
South Sudan considered shifting from CAT (UTC+2) to EAT (UTC+3) to align with Kenya and Uganda. As of 2026, this has not been implemented. The country remains on CAT. No official timeline has been announced. Treat claims of an imminent shift as speculation until the government issues a decree.
Which IANA zones are just aliases?
The IANA database reflects political boundaries and historical changes. Several Africa entries are aliases pointing to the same offset and rules. Africa/Asmara points to Africa/Nairobi. The DRC spans two actual time offsets (UTC+1 and UTC+2) despite holding four IANA zones. Cabo Verde sits at UTC−1, unique on the continent. Mauritius, Seychelles, and Reunion use UTC+4, not EAT.
Are any other African countries planning time zone changes?
No. As of October 2026, no other active proposals are known. Libya trialled DST in 2013 and abandoned it the same year. Namibia shifted to CAT year-round in 2017 and has not reverted. The only countries to watch are Egypt and Morocco. Both adjust DST schedules annually.
Africa time zone checklist for 2026
| Country | Zone | Offset | DST in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | WAT | UTC+1 | No |
| South Africa | SAST | UTC+2 | No |
| Kenya | EAT | UTC+3 | No |
| Egypt | EEST | UTC+3 | Yes (check annually) |
| Morocco | , | UTC+0/+1 | Yes (suspended during Ramadan) |
| Ghana | GMT | UTC+0 | No |
| Cabo Verde | , | UTC−1 | No |
Check Egypt’s DST status each year. Confirm Morocco’s Ramadan dates annually. Everything else stays put.