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Top 10 African Countries With Shortest Work Schedules

Published

6 months ago

February 17, 2025

Across the world, work hours vary significantly, and African countries are no exception with some on the continent notable for their relatively shorter workweeks.

According to data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), several African nations maintain a lower average of working hours, fostering better work-life balance, improved well-being, and increased productivity.

While many countries still struggle with excessive work hours in specific industries, these nations have made notable progress in ensuring a more balanced approach to employment.

Here’s a look at the top 10 African countries with the shortest average work hours per week:

1. Rwanda – 30.4 hours per week

Rwanda leads the continent with an impressively short average workweek of 30.4 hours. Only 12% of its workforce logs 49 or more hours weekly. Globally, Rwanda ranks 4th for its relatively relaxed work schedule, a result of strong labor policies and a focus on work-life balance.

2. Somalia – 31.4 hours per week

Somalia follows closely behind, with an average workweek of 31.4 hours. Ranked 5th globally, Somalia has only 10% of workers exceeding 49 hours per week, positioning it as an outlier in the region for its shorter work schedules.

3. Ethiopia – 31.9 hours per week

With an average of 31.9 hours per week, Ethiopia ranks 9th worldwide. Despite this relatively short workweek, about 15% of the workforce still puts in over 49 hours weekly.

4. Madagascar – 34.5 hours per week

Workers in Madagascar clock an average of 34.5 hours per week. With just 10% exceeding 49 hours, Madagascar ranks 20th globally, offering a favorable work-life balance for its workforce.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo – 36.3 hours per week

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), employees work an average of 36.3 hours per week. Around 15% of workers exceed 49 hours weekly. The DRC ranks 34th globally, reflecting a relatively balanced work culture.

6. Mozambique – 36.4 hours per week

Mozambique follows closely, with a weekly average of 36.4 hours. Approximately 19% of employees work over 49 hours, placing the country in 35th position globally for shorter work schedules.

7. Comoros – 37.8 hours per week

In Comoros, the average workweek stands at 37.8 hours. About 13% of the workforce logs more than 49 hours. Ranking 51st worldwide, Comoros demonstrates a commitment to balancing professional and personal life.

8. Ghana – 38.5 hours per week

Ghana’s workweek averages 38.5 hours, with 24% of workers exceeding 49 hours. While slightly longer than some countries on this list, Ghana ranks 61st globally for shorter working hours.

9. Tanzania – 39.7 hours per week

Tanzania records an average of 39.7 hours per week. However, 28% of its workforce still endures extended hours, placing it 81st globally.

10. Niger – 39.7 hours per week

Tied with Tanzania, Niger also averages 39.7 working hours weekly. However, a slightly higher 29% of its employees work over 49 hours, positioning the country 83rd globally for work duration.

Headline

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

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US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”