What Are The Public Holidays in Guinea Conakry in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Guinea Conakry (2026)

Guinea Conakry observes a mix of fixed national days and Islamic religious holidays, which follow the lunar calendar and may shift slightly once officially confirmed. Use the table below as a planning guide for your 2026 workforce, and always verify final religious dates with the local authorities closer to the time.

*Islamic holidays in Guinea Conakry are based on the lunar calendar and the official sighting of the moon. The 2026 dates above are indicative and should be confirmed with the Guinean authorities or your local payroll partner closer to the time.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, in Guinea Conakry public holidays are generally treated as paid non‑working days when they fall on an employee’s normal working day, in line with standard practice in the country and the Labour Code. Employees who are not required to work on a public holiday typically receive their normal basic pay for the day, without being forced to use annual leave.

If business needs require staff to work on a public holiday, employers usually must provide either premium pay or a compensatory rest day, according to the employment contract, collective agreement or internal policy, and subject to the Labour Code. Many employers in Guinea Conakry offer a higher rate for hours worked on public holidays, especially in essential services and continuous‑operation sectors.

Part‑time employees are generally entitled to paid public holidays on a pro‑rata basis when the holiday falls on a day they would normally work. If the holiday falls on a non‑working day for that employee, there is usually no additional entitlement unless a more generous contractual or collective arrangement applies.

When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is common practice for the following Monday to be treated as the observed day, particularly for fixed civil holidays such as Independence Day. For religious holidays, the official day announced by the authorities is the one that counts for pay and leave purposes, even if it shifts at short notice.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Guinea Conakry’s Labour Code is enforced primarily by the labour inspectorate under the Ministry of Labour, which can investigate complaints, review payroll and attendance records, and order corrective measures if public holiday rules are breached. Failure to grant paid public holidays or to compensate work performed on those days in line with the law and applicable agreements can lead to administrative fines and, in serious or repeated cases, potential court action and damages.

Common employer mistakes include treating public holidays as unpaid leave, forcing employees to use annual leave to cover public holidays, or paying only basic rates for work done on a public holiday where a higher rate or compensatory rest is required by contract or collective agreement. Another risk area is mis‑handling last‑minute changes to Islamic holiday dates when the official announcement differs from the forecast calendar.

To reduce compliance risk, your company should keep written policies on public holidays, reflect local rules clearly in employment contracts, and maintain accurate records of hours worked, pay, and days off. When in doubt, it is advisable to seek local legal or payroll advice, as enforcement practice and penalty levels can evolve.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Guinea Conakry, public holidays interact with overtime in two main ways. First, hours worked on a public holiday are typically treated as exceptional and may attract a premium rate above the normal overtime rate, depending on the Labour Code provisions, collective agreements, and sector‑specific rules. Second, public holidays do not usually reduce the weekly working‑time threshold for calculating overtime, but any hours actually worked on those days still count toward total weekly hours.

In practice, many employers apply a higher multiplier for public‑holiday work than for standard overtime, or they grant an additional paid rest day in lieu. Night work or work performed on both a public holiday and a weekly rest day can trigger cumulative premiums. Because exact percentages and thresholds can vary by agreement and sector, you should confirm the applicable rates with your local counsel or payroll provider and ensure they are configured correctly in your time‑tracking and payroll systems.

For part‑time and shift‑based staff, overtime and public‑holiday premiums are usually calculated on the basis of actual hours worked beyond the contractual schedule. Clear rosters, signed timesheets, and written approval for holiday work are essential to demonstrate compliance in the event of an inspection.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Managing public holidays in Guinea Conakry can be tricky, especially when you factor in shifting Islamic dates, observed Mondays, and different rules for part‑time or shift workers. Playroll helps you take the guesswork out of compliance so your team in Guinea Conakry is paid correctly and on time, every time.

With Playroll, you can rely on locally informed expertise to track official holiday announcements, update your calendars, and apply the right pay rules automatically. Our platform keeps your employment contracts, policies, and payroll settings aligned with Guinean labour law, including public‑holiday pay, overtime premiums, and compensatory rest days.

Whether you are hiring your first employee in Conakry or scaling a larger team across West Africa, Playroll can act as your employer‑of‑record or support your existing local entity. We handle the complexity of:

• Setting up compliant employment contracts that reflect Guinean public‑holiday rules
• Applying the correct public‑holiday and overtime rates in payroll
• Adjusting for last‑minute changes to Islamic holiday dates
• Managing leave requests and approvals around busy holiday periods
• Keeping you updated on changes to labour law and enforcement practice

This lets you focus on building your team and growing your business, while Playroll quietly keeps you on the right side of Guinean regulations. If you are planning hires in Guinea Conakry, or want to stress‑test your current holiday and leave setup, Playroll can give you a clear, practical roadmap to full compliance.