New Year's Day in Congo - Kinshasa
New Year’s Day falls on 1 January and is listed as a legal public holiday throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country’s holiday order sets a specific rule for when a legal holiday coincides with Sunday.[1]
Legal status and date
The presidential order dated 30 March 2023 names 1 January as “Nouvel an” in its list of legal holidays for the DRC. It is a countrywide holiday, not a date limited to Kinshasa or a particular province.[1]
The Labour Code applies broadly to workers and employers in the DRC, including public enterprises and workers hired under contract in state public services. It excludes some groups of public employees governed by statutory rules. The Code also provides that workers’ remuneration is due for legal holidays, subject to its stated exception for a lawful lockout.[2]
The Sunday rule
Under Article 2 of the presidential order, when a legal holiday falls on Sunday, the related day off is taken on the preceding day. The text therefore specifies the Saturday before, rather than the following Monday.[1]
For planning, 1 January remains the fixed date of New Year’s Day. If it falls on another day of the week, the order gives no substitute-day rule for that situation. Check official announcements and individual workplace arrangements for any additional guidance.[1]
Meaning and public observances
The legal order identifies the holiday simply as New Year. It does not assign 1 January a separate national historical commemoration or prescribe customs for the public to observe.[1]
A government account documents a New Year’s exchange of greetings between the president and the diplomatic corps at the Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa. It describes the event as a customary diplomatic ceremony; it does not establish that this is a public ceremony for everyone or describe household celebrations.[3]
Closures and practical planning
The East African Community’s travel guidance says most government institutions and most businesses in its partner states close on public holidays, and it lists New Year’s Day among the DRC’s holidays. It says immigration points, including airports and border entry points, remain open. These are general expectations, not a schedule for a particular office or business.[4]
Check directly with the service you need and allow for possible closures or changed hours.[4]
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in the DRC?
Yes. The presidential order lists 1 January as a legal holiday across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1]
Who gets the day off?
If 1 January falls on Sunday, when is the day off?
The order says the related day off is taken on the preceding day, which means Saturday. It does not specify the following Monday.[1]
Are offices, shops and transport open?
The East African Community says most government institutions and businesses close on public holidays, while immigration points remain open. It does not give specific bank, shop or transport timetables for New Year’s Day in the DRC, so check locally.[4]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Congo - Kinshasa:
- 30 mars 2023. - Ordonnance n° 23-042 fixant la liste des jours fériés légaux en République démocratique du Congo- Journal officiel de la République démocratique du Congo / Droit Congolais
- LOI 2002 PORTANT CODE DU TRAVAIL- Legali
- Cérémonie d'échange de vœux entre le chef de l'état et le corps diplomatique accrédité en RDC- Présidence de la République démocratique du Congo
- Travelling within the EAC- East African Community