Current Time in Africa/Maputo Time Zone
IANA Name: Africa/Maputo
Standard Offset: UTC +02:00
Daylight Saving: No
Currently Observing DST: No ❌
Africa/Maputo Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT) in Mozambique
The Africa/Maputo time zone is the IANA time zone identifier for Mozambique, operating year-round on Central Africa Time (CAT) at a fixed offset of UTC+02:00. This zone does not observe daylight saving time, meaning the offset remains constant throughout the year. It is the sole time zone used in Mozambique, covering the entire country from the capital Maputo to all provinces.
Overview and Coverage
Africa/Maputo applies exclusively to Mozambique, a southeastern African nation bordered by the Indian Ocean. The zone is named after the capital, Maputo, which lies at approximately 25.97°S latitude. All major cities and towns in Mozambique, including Beira, Nampula, and Quelimane, follow this time zone. The standard offset of UTC+02:00 is shared with several other African nations and territories, such as Malawi (Africa/Blantyre), Burundi (Africa/Bujumbura), Egypt (Africa/Cairo), Botswana (Africa/Gaborone), Zimbabwe (Africa/Harare), South Africa (Africa/Johannesburg), South Sudan (Africa/Juba), Sudan (Africa/Khartoum), Rwanda (Africa/Kigali), Democratic Republic of the Congo (eastern part, Africa/Lubumbashi), Zambia (Africa/Lusaka), and Lesotho (Africa/Maseru).
Offset and Abbreviation
The offset UTC+02:00 means that when it is noon in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), it is 14:00 in Maputo. The abbreviation for this time zone is CAT (Central Africa Time). CAT is used by multiple countries in central and southern Africa, making it a widely recognized standard. Unlike time zones that use daylight saving time, CAT remains at UTC+02:00 all year, providing a consistent reference for scheduling.
Daylight Saving Time Behavior
Mozambique does not observe daylight saving time. The country is located near the equator, with Maputo at about 26°S latitude, resulting in relatively consistent day length throughout the year. The lack of DST means that the offset of UTC+02:00 is permanent, and clocks never change. This simplifies timekeeping for residents and businesses, as there is no seasonal adjustment. The annual rhythm is flat: sunrise and sunset times shift gradually due to the Earth's axial tilt, but the time offset remains fixed.
Main Countries and Cities
The only country using Africa/Maputo is Mozambique. Key cities include:
- Maputo (capital, population ~1.1 million)
- Beira (major port city)
- Nampula (northern hub)
- Quelimane (coastal city)
- Tete (inland mining center)
- Pemba (tourist destination)
Practical Guidance for Business and Calls
For international scheduling, Africa/Maputo is 2 hours ahead of UTC (UTC+02:00). Key overlaps with other regions:
- Western Europe (e.g., London, UTC+00:00): Maputo is 2 hours ahead. When it is 9:00 AM in London, it is 11:00 AM in Maputo. Business hours in Maputo (typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) overlap well with European morning to early afternoon.
- Eastern Europe (e.g., Moscow, UTC+03:00): Maputo is 1 hour behind. When it is 10:00 AM in Moscow, it is 9:00 AM in Maputo. Overlap is strong during standard work hours.
- North America (e.g., New York, UTC-05:00): Maputo is 7 hours ahead. When it is 9:00 AM in New York, it is 4:00 PM in Maputo. Best calling times are early morning in New York (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM) corresponding to afternoon in Maputo (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM).
- Asia (e.g., Beijing, UTC+08:00): Maputo is 6 hours behind. When it is 9:00 AM in Beijing, it is 3:00 AM in Maputo. Overlap is limited; late afternoon in Maputo (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) aligns with evening in Beijing (8:00 PM to 11:00 PM).
- Other CAT zones: All zones at UTC+02:00 (listed above) share the same time, so no conversion is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current time in Maputo, Mozambique?
The current time in Maputo is always UTC+02:00 (CAT). Since Mozambique does not observe daylight saving time, the time is the same all year. You can check a world clock for the exact time.
Does Mozambique observe daylight saving time?
No, Mozambique does not observe daylight saving time. The country uses Central Africa Time (UTC+02:00) year-round, so clocks never change.
What is the time difference between Maputo and New York?
Maputo (UTC+02:00) is 7 hours ahead of New York (UTC-05:00 during standard time). When it is noon in Maputo, it is 5:00 AM in New York. During New York's daylight saving time (UTC-04:00), the difference is 6 hours.
Which other countries share the same time zone as Mozambique?
Is the time in Maputo the same as in Johannesburg?
Yes, both Maputo and Johannesburg use Central Africa Time (UTC+02:00) and do not observe daylight saving time, so they are always the same time.
What is the best time to schedule a call between Maputo and London?
Maputo is 2 hours ahead of London (UTC+00:00). Good overlap occurs between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM in London (11:00 AM to 7:00 PM in Maputo). Late morning in London (10:00 AM to noon) corresponds to early afternoon in Maputo (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM), which is convenient for both.