Africa Day in Guinea

A holiday set by law

Guinea’s decree on legal holidays lists May 25 as the anniversary of the African Union and declares it a paid, non-working holiday across the public, private and mixed sectors throughout the country. The rule applies to employees at establishments of every kind, with an exception for services whose work cannot be interrupted.[1]

The decree provides a substitute working day only when Independence Day, New Year’s Day or Eid al-Fitr falls on a non-working day. Africa Day is not included in that provision, so the decree does not provide a substitute day when May 25 falls on a non-working day.[1]

Guinea’s Labour Code also says legal holidays are paid even when they fall on a Sunday or the weekly rest day. It protects workers’ pay and provides additional remuneration for employees who must work in establishments that cannot stop operating.[3]

Why May 25 matters

Africa Day recalls the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa on May 25, 1963. The African Union identifies Guinea as one of the 32 independent African states that agreed to establish the organization that day; its member-state listing gives Guinea’s independence date as October 2, 1958.[2][4]

The OAU Charter adopted on May 25, 1963, marks the institutional origin of the organization that preceded the African Union. In Guinea, the holiday’s legal name links the annual date directly to the Union and its continental history.[1][4]

Observances and practical plans

The decree establishes May 25 as a paid, non-working holiday across the public, private and mixed sectors, with exceptions for services whose work cannot be interrupted.[1]

For residents and visitors, the holiday can affect ordinary work and services: the decree requires work to stop in covered establishments unless their activities cannot be interrupted. It does not specify opening hours for individual banks, shops or transport services, so check directly with a provider before making plans.[1]