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Time in DR Congo Now
Local Live Time in Central Africa
What Time Is It in DR Congo Right Now With Seconds
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) uses two national time zones due to its wide geographical area. The western region follows West Africa Time (WAT), operating on UTC +01, while the central and eastern regions follow Central Africa Time (CAT), operating on UTC +02. The country does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time remains consistent throughout the year.
Cities such as Kinshasa, Matadi, and Kenge follow the UTC +01 time zone, while cities including Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, Bukavu, and Kolwezi follow UTC +02. This ensures accurate timekeeping across all regions.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Time Zone Info
IANA Time Zones: Africa/Kinshasa, Africa/Lubumbashi
UTC Offset: UTC +01 and UTC +02
Time Zone Abbreviation: WAT (West Africa Time), CAT (Central Africa Time)
DST: Not observed
DST Abbreviation: None — the time remains unchanged year-round
DR Congo shares its time with numerous Central and East African countries.
Democratic Republic of the Congo time zone(s)
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| West Africa Time (WAT) | Kinshasa, Matadi | UTC +01 |
| Central Africa Time (CAT) | Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani | UTC +02 |
The official IANA identifiers for the country are Africa/Kinshasa and Africa/Lubumbashi.
Daylight Saving Time in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Both of its official time zones — UTC +01 and UTC +02 — remain stable throughout the year.
This ensures predictable time management across all provinces.
Major cities in Democratic Republic of the Congo & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Kinshasa | WAT | UTC +01 |
| Matadi | WAT | UTC +01 |
| Lubumbashi | CAT | UTC +02 |
| Goma | CAT | UTC +02 |
| Kisangani | CAT | UTC +02 |
Brief info for Democratic Republic of the Congo time
• Number of time zones: 2
• Capital city: Kinshasa
• Default time: West Africa Time (WAT) and Central Africa Time (CAT)
• Daylight Saving Time: Not used
• IANA Time Zone ID: Africa/Kinshasa, Africa/Lubumbashi
• Standard UTC offset: UTC +01 and UTC +02
• Neighbouring countries with similar time: Angola, Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi
• Regional differences: Yes. Two official time zones nationwide
Pros and Cons
Pros
Dual time zones allow accurate timekeeping across wide geography.
No DST prevents seasonal confusion.
Stable UTC offsets support international coordination.
Good alignment with neighboring African countries.
Predictable year-round scheduling.
Cons
Two different time zones complicate nationwide coordination.
Limited working-hour overlap between western and eastern regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we know about DR Congo’s time zones?
DR Congo uses two official time zones: West Africa Time (UTC +01) and Central Africa Time (UTC +02).
Does DR Congo observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. The country does not use DST.
What is DR Congo’s official time zone?
West Africa Time (WAT) and Central Africa Time (CAT).
How many time zones does DR Congo have?
DR Congo has two official time zones.
Do neighbouring countries share the same time as DR Congo?
Yes. Angola and Republic of the Congo use UTC +01, while Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi use UTC +02.
Does DR Congo ever change its clocks?
No. The country does not change its clocks.
How can I check the time difference between DR Congo and another country?
Use a time converter to compare DR Congo’s UTC +01 or UTC +02 with global time zones.