Although Lesotho legalized cannabis exports in 2018, Africa has been a slow starter in joining the ranks of those countries pushing for reform and regulated markets. Although fewer than a quarter of the continent’s countries have partially legalized cannabis, primarily medical cannabis for export and industrial hemp, Africa has the potential to be a future powerhouse on the international cannabis stage. Stay in the loop with all the news, policy, legislative, regulatory and market developments with Cannabiz Africa, your reliable content guide to the African cannabis environment.
Kenya’s High Court has been hearing the Rastafarian community’s arguments that the country’s prohibitionist cannabis laws are a violation of their religious freedom. The Rastas are not arguing for an end to prohibition but rather that their use of cannabis for spiritual purposes is decriminalized.
A Ghanaian farmer Mariam Alhassan is challenging the constitutionality of the country’s new cannabis licensing regime in court. This comes despite concessions made by Parliament this month to reduce some of the fees, which still remain among the highest in the world.
Multiple law enforcement agencies in eSwatini and South Africa are stepping up their efforts to try and curb cross-border cannabis smuggling. This has been steadily increasing with eSwatini cannabis dealers attracted by the prices they can get supplying the rapidly expanding illicit SA retail ‘Grey Zone’.
Morocco hasn’t distinguished between medical cannabis and industrial hemp in developing its cannabis industry. French academic Pierre-Arnaud Chouvy says that by putting the indigenous kif landrace at the centre of monetizing the plant, Morocco is being focused, yet flexible by keeping its end-use options open.
Senior KZN government officials and national policy-makers will engage with stakeholders at a high level conference and expo on commercialising hemp, which will be held at the Elangeni Sun in Durban at the on 19 and 20 March 2026. The event has been put together by Ledile Textiles.
Ghana’s Chamber of Cannabis Industry is engaging with the country’s national regulator to open up the cannabis market to local farmers and businesses. CEO Mark Darko (pictured here) says regulatory integrity should not come at the cost of exclusivity.
Africa should be at the forefront of the legal cannabis revolution sweeping the world. However, the continent’s policy makes appear to have blinded themselves to the plant’s potential as an economic driver – and until they debunk these five constraining myths about cannabis, Africa will remain on the sidelines of global markets.
If Botswana is serious about cannabis being a major forex generator it needs to embrace cutting edge technology from the get-go. The investment in AI irrigation systems and digital market access platforms may be expensive for a Third World country, but will pay off if done right.
Botswana’s legal landscape is rapidly taking shape as an export-orientated industry favouring multinational investment rather than building a domestic industry. Despite this setback for local businesses, the Cannabis Association of Botswana’s Sekgele Mogobe (pictured here) says regulatory clarity is welcome and in contrast to South Africa where cannabis reform remains mired in confusion.
Hemp Innovations Botswana has been granted the first license to cultivate both medical cannabis and hemp in Botswana. HIB’s parent company, Swedish multinational Hemp Innovations Europe (HIE), is an established player in the EU’s transition to a ‘green economy’ and will provide Botswana immediate access to European markets.
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