“Cannabis and hemp markets are accelerating in Africa, as well as globally” says Cheeba Africa co-founder and director Trenton Birch, “which is why we have come up with a comprehensive programme to equip aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals and changemakers with the scientific, regulatory and commercial expertise needed in this fast-evolving sector”.
“Across multiple African jurisdictions, cannabis and hemp have been legalised, decriminalised or opened to regulated commercial activity. Governments are exploring industrial hemp for sustainable agriculture and manufacturing, while medical cannabis markets are expanding under compliance-driven frameworks” says Birch.
“In this environment, credible, compliance-ready education is no longer optional, it is a competitive advantage”.
Cheeba Africa’s Cannabis & Hemp 101 Professional Certificate is a fully online and part-time course run over 13 weeks. The programme provides
· approximately 80 hours of structured,
· facilitated learning combining self-study modules,
· live Zoom lectures on subject matter expert Q & A’s interviews and interactive working sessions.
The cost of the course is R18 500. Birch says there are payment and funding options for the course which has been “designed for working professionals, entrepreneurs, industry enthusiasts and global citizens; the certificate allows participants to study from anywhere in the world while maintaining employment and other commitments.”
He says Africa is uniquely positioned as a player in the global cannabis economy because of its Favourable climates for cultivation, growing regulatory frameworks and the rising global demand for medical cannabis and industrial hemp products.
“However, industry success depends on professionals who understand the full value chain from genetics and cultivation to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, global markets and commercialisation strategy” says Birch.
He says this is an ideal time to for cannabis professionals to be broadening their skills and knowledge base.
“With the cannabis and hemp sectors entering a new phase of regulation, investment and global trade, now is the ideal time to build credible, future-focused expertise. As Africa’s green economy expands, those with structured, industry-aligned education will be positioned not only to participate but to lead.”
2026 Intake Details
● Duration: 13 weeks (approximately 80 hours)
● Delivery: Fully online, part-time
● Language: English
● Minimum Age: 18+
● 2026 Start Dates: 17 March 2026 | 1 September 2026
For more information or to enrol:
cheebaafrica.com
academy@cheebaafrica.com
+27 73 384 3721
Cheeba’s Pitch:
Cannabis & Hemp 101 Professional Certificate – a Comprehensive, Industry-Aligned Curriculum
The programme spans the full Cannabis and Hemp ecosystem, including:
● Cannabis & Hemp Business Fundamentals: industry structure, global legal frameworks, marketing, quality assurance, global off-takes and venture planning
● Cannabis Cultivation & Processing: botany, chemistry, genetics, indoor and outdoor growing, scaling for commercial production, extraction and testing
● Medicinal Cannabis: the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids and terpenes, delivery methods, dosing, clinical considerations and regulatory context
● Hemp Cultivation & Sustainable Farming: soil health, irrigation, post-harvest processing, permaculture and future-focused farming practices
For those seeking hands-on exposure, an optional two-day Industry Immersion in Cape Town or Johannesburg provides site visits to licensed farms, nurseries and extraction facilities (additional cost) .
Flexible Learning with Economic Advantages
The economic benefits of studying online and part-time are significant:
● No relocation costs
● No income disruption — learners continue earning while upskilling
● Lower total study cost compared to full-time, campus-based alternatives
● Global accessibility without visa or travel barriers
By spreading learning over 13 weeks, participants gain depth without sacrificing professional momentum. For entrepreneurs, this means the ability to apply insights in real time to emerging ventures.
Credibility and Academic Rigor
This is not a generic online short course. It is a facilitated, cohort-based Professional Certificate delivered by Africa’s leading and only Higher Education accredited institution focused on Cannabis and Hemp.
While strongly industry-aligned in a rapidly changing sector, the programme applies rigorous academic and quality standards consistent with accredited higher education delivery.
Importantly, medical content is accredited in several U.S. states through a long term partnership with leading medical cannabis educator MM411, reinforcing global credibility and relevance.
In a sector often characterised by misinformation and informal knowledge, formalised, structured education signals professionalism to regulators, investors and international partners.
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