What is the difference between WAT and UTC?
WAT is 1 hour ahead of UTC, observed in several countries in West Africa.
UTC time
URL copied to clipboard!
Copied embed code to clipboard!
WAT
West Africa Time
23 Nov 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this area observe DST?
No, it remains on standard time throughout the year.
Which major cities follow this pattern?
Cities like Algiers, Casablanca, and Luanda follow this schedule.
What areas share the same hours?
Other countries in West Africa, including parts of central Africa, follow the same schedule.
How does this compare with CET or GMT?
WAT is 1 hour ahead of GMT and 2 hours behind CET.
Why doesn't this area observe DST?
The decision was made to maintain consistency and avoid the disruption of changing clocks twice a year.
How did this system get established?
WAT was adopted to standardize time in countries across West and Central Africa, replacing a variety of local times.
What are the typical work hours here?
Most businesses operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility depending on the industry.
What is the economic importance of this area?
West Africa plays a significant role in agriculture, mining, and trade, particularly in oil, gold, and cocoa production.