Time zones might seem like a technical or even boring subject, but they’re actually pretty interesting, especially when you consider how they impact different regions like West Africa. For a region filled with cultural diversity, stunning scenery, and robust economies, understanding the time zones in West Africa helps with everything from planning travel to scheduling meetings.
Although there are 6 different time zones used in Africa, this article will focus on West African time zones and the West African countries with similar time zones.
What are time zones?
A time zone is a region of the globe that observes the same standard time. Time zones are generally measured from the Prime Meridian (0° longitude), which runs through Greenwich, London. From there, the globe is divided into 24 zones, each roughly one hour apart.
The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line cut across the Earth that helps people to navigate their destinations and is divided into east and west.
You may be wondering, what are UTC, GMT and WAT, and what is the difference between GMT and WAT, as well as other terminologies used in West Africa? Well, let’s give you a breakdown.
What is UTC Time Zone?
UTC, which stands for Coordinated Universal Time, is the primary time standard globally used to regulate clocks and time. It is used as a reference for the current time globally and across multiple countries as the basis for time zones.
What is the GMT Time zone?
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, the local clock time at Greenwich, London. From 1884 until 1972, GMT was the international standard of civil time. Though it has now been replaced by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), GMT is still the legal time in Britain in the winter, and is still used by some countries in Africa and Western Europe, including in Iceland all year round.
What is WAT Time Zone?
WAT or West Africa Time is a time zone used in west-central Africa. West Africa Time is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
What is CVT Time Zone?
CVT or Cape Verde Time is one of the time zones in West Africa used by the nation of Cape Verde. The zone is one hour behind UTC.
Time Zones in West Africa
Surprisingly, West Africa is relatively uniform in time zones, unlike other regions with multiple zones. Most West African countries observe either Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), West Africa Time (WAT) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
1. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)- UTC+0
Countries using GMT in West Africa include: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the most widely used time zone in West Africa. This time zone aligns with the Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, London, and extends through much of the western section of the African continent. It supports unity among West African states in regional economic blocs such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).
Fun Fact: These countries stay on the same time all year round. It’s simple and consistent.
Also read: 15 Most Romantic Cities in Africa Every Couple Should Know
2. West Africa Time (WAT) – UTC+1
Countries in West Africa with (WAT) UTC+1 include; Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria and Niger.
West Africa Time (WAT) is one of the time zones in West Africa, which is one hour ahead of GMT, and is the second most common time zone in the region. The use of WAT reflects the longitudinal position of these countries, which are further east compared to GMT using states.
Also read: 7 Best West African Countries To Visit as a Tourist (& Why)
3. Cape Verde Time (CVT) – UTC -1
The only West African country using UTC−1 is Cape Verde. Cape Verde, an island nation off the western coast of Africa, is unique in its use of UTC−1. As one of the few places west of the Prime Meridian with a distinct time zone, Cape Verde’s time is based on its geographic location in the Atlantic Ocean. The nation maintains its time zone for administrative and practical purposes.
Time may be invisible, but it shapes how we live and in West Africa, it does so with simplicity, with most countries using either GMT or WAT, it’s easy to keep track of time whether you’re planning a safari in Senegal, a business trip to Lagos, or a cultural tour in Accra.
Frequently Asked Questions about the West African Time Zone
Does West Africa observe Daylight Saving Time (DST)?
No, WAT does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time remains constant throughout the year.
How does WAT compare to Central European Time (CET)?
WAT is the same time as CET during the European winter. However, CET changes to CEST (Central European Summer Time) in summer, making it 1 hour ahead of WAT during that period.
What cities operate on West African Time?
Major cities on WAT include Lagos (Nigeria), Yaoundé (Cameroon), N’Djamena (Chad), Luanda (Angola), and Porto-Novo (Benin).
Is West African Time ahead of or behind Eastern Standard Time (EST)?
WAT is typically 6 hours ahead of EST. So, when it is noon in New York (EST), it is 6:00 PM in Lagos (WAT).
How can I convert WAT to my local time?
You can use online time converters or apps like World Clock, or just add +1 hour to UTC to get the current time in WAT.
