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Top 10 African Countries With Shortest Work Schedules

Published

5 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

Former NBA Player Ben McLemore Convicted Of Raping Incapacitated Woman

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Editor

An Oregon jury found former Houston Rockets guard Ben McLemore guilty on Thursday of raping a woman in while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021.

Deliberations lasting around 10 hours after an 11-day trial concluded with the jury in Clackamas County finding McLemore, 32, guilty on one charge of first-degree rape, one charge of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and one count of second-degree sexual abuse. He was found not guilty on an additional count of second-degree sexual abuse.

McLemore pleaded not guilty to all four counts before the verdict. His sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9.

The charges stem from a report of sexual assault in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on Oct. 3, 2021. McLemore was identified as a suspect during a police investigation.

A Clackamas County grand jury heard evidence in the case in February 2024, which included testimony from the woman who said McLemore assaulted her. He was indicted and an arrest warrant was issued, according to Lake Oswego police. McLemore was arrested by U.S. Marshalls two months later.

Clackamas County prosecutor Scott Healy reportedly told jurors the victim found herself being sexually assaulted by McLemore while partially conscious the morning after a party.

Healy said that the victim had been drinking heavily at the party and had passed out on a living room couch at the party around 2 a.m.

McLemore’s attorneys reportedly disputed the victim’s account, claiming she had initiated sexual contact with McLemore and had consented to it. They also claimed that despite the victim and McLemore both being intoxicated, the victim was sober enough to consent.

McLemore played parts of two seasons with the Rockets from 2019-2021. He was the seventh pick in the 2013 draft out of Kansas and played for five teams across nine NBA seasons. After playing the 2021-2022 season with the Trail Blazers, McLemore went overseas to continue his playing career. He has played for teams in China, Greece, Spain and Turkey over the last three years.

Headline

Russia Launches Largest Assault On Ukraine

Published

4 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Editor

The Kremlin said on Friday that it sees no immediate diplomatic way out of the war in Ukraine, hours after launching its largest ever drone and missile barrage of the invasion.

The hours-long bombardments across Ukraine came just after a telephone call between the US and Russian presidents ended without any breakthrough.

AFP journalists in Kyiv heard drones buzzing over the capital and explosions ringing out throughout the night as Ukrainian air defence systems fended off the attack.

“We are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and it is preferable to do it by political and diplomatic means,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to its invasion, launched in February 2022.

“But as long as that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation,” he said in a briefing, including with AFP.

US President Donald Trump had said he made no progress in discussions one day earlier with President Vladimir Putin on ending the war, while the Kremlin vowed to pursue its war aims.

A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky were planning to speak later on Friday.

Tymur, a Kyiv resident who said he had experienced previous Russian attacks, told AFP that the assault in the early hours of Friday was different.

“Nothing like this attack had ever happened before. There have never been so many explosions,” he said.

– ‘War and terror’ –
Zelensky said air alerts had begun echoing out across the country as the Trump-Putin call was getting underway.

“Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” Zelensky said on social media.

“All of this is clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behaviour.”

He urged the United States in particular to increase pressure on Moscow, which on Friday announced fresh territorial gains on the front line with the capture of a village in the Donetsk region.

Poland said its embassy building in Kyiv had been damaged in the attack but that staff were unharmed.

Germany’s foreign ministry meanwhile said that the timing of the attack — just after the leaders’ call — showed that Moscow “continues to rely on brute force”.

“Ukraine needs more to defend itself, not less,” the ministry said on social media.

A government spokesman said Germany was exploring the possibility of purchasing more Patriot air defence systems from the United States for Ukraine.

Zelensky said 23 people were wounded in the barrage, which the air force said comprised 539 drones and 11 missiles.

A representative of Ukraine’s air force told Ukrainian media that the attack was the largest of the Russian invasion, launched in February 2022.

– ‘Complete disregard’ –

Overnight Russia attacks have escalated over recent weeks.

An AFP tally found Moscow launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukraine in June when direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow appeared to stall.

In Kyiv, AFP journalists saw dozens of residents of the capital taking shelter in a metro station.

Yuliia Golovnina, who said she shelters at the metro regularly, described to AFP the worry that comes with hearing an explosion during an attack.

“Will there be another one? Will something collapse on you?” the 47-year-old said.

“So in those seconds, you just hold your breath and wait to see what happens next,” she added.

In Kyiv, concerns mount over whether the US will continue delivering military aid, which is key to Ukraine’s ability to fend off the drone and missile barrages.

The US announced this week it was reducing some of its aid deliveries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this was a clear signal that the 27-nation European Union needed to “step up”.

Ukraine has also ramped up its retaliatory strikes in Russia, where a woman was killed when a Ukrainian drone crashed into an apartment building, the acting regional governor in Rostov said.

Talks, spearheaded by the United States to secure a ceasefire, have stalled but Ukraine and Russia announced a fresh swap of prisoners of war with Ukraine.

The two sides said it was part of agreements reached during talks in Istanbul last month.

AFP

Headline

We’re Ready To Start Gaza Ceasefire Talks ‘Immediately’ – Hamas

Published

4 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Editor

Hamas said Friday it was ready to start talks “immediately” on a proposal for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, after holding consultations with other Palestinian factions.

“The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put in place” the terms of a draft truce proposal received from mediators, the militant group said in a statement.