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.
Cannabis is strictly outlawed in The Gambia but this has not deterred the growers on Jinack Island who operate under the ‘protection’ of an ancient curse. It appears police have been spooked by the curse, which promises misfortune for any authority figure interfering with the affairs of ‘Treasure Island’.
Botswana’s is to change its industrial development laws to ensure there is regulatory alignment in establishing a legal cannabis market. Amendments to the Industrial Development Act have been passed by Parliament to prevent cannabis from falling under overlapping procedures.
The Namibian legalization debate has dragged on longer than the sands of time, but something shifted during the course of this year. Our Namibian asks whether 2026 could still be the tipping point and unpacks the journey its taken to get to this point.
Publisher and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore (pictured here), has renewed his call for the legalisation and regulation of cannabis in Nigeria, arguing that the destruction of cannabis farms is a waste of economic opportunities amid widespread poverty.
Zimbabwe hemp farmer Mike Querl’s Thathokuhle Farm’s has been offered a major tax concession by finance minister Mthuli Ncube. The Minister toured the farm last week and was so impressed by Querl’s ‘outgrower’ business model that he says he’ll recognize the cannabis farm as its own tax-free zone.
Prominent legalization activist Ras David Chikomeni Chirwa and board member of the Malawi Cannabis Regulatory Authority, was bust with almost 20 kg of illicit cannabis at a Friday night roadblock by Jenda police. He is out on bail and is due to appear in court on possession charges at an unspecified date.
Cannabis operators in three African Countries – the DRC, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau – are under a police investigation triggered by Portugal’s Medicines Regulator. The sector has been shocked by allegations of criminal association, falsified documents aggravated trafficking and money laundering.
Morocco is introducing a certified seed campaign after years of researching which varietals perform best for farmers and regulated markets. PearlBlue Seeds has been working on developing and stabilizing local genetics as a foundation for the local commercial industry.
Lesotho cannabis processor Banel has gone to the Maseru High Court to recover 500 kg of cannabis from Thailand seized by the Lesotho Police in February 2026. Banel says R1,2 million is tied up in the consignment, which it says is legal and that all the paperwork was in place.
eSwatini has ruled out legalizing general adult-use cannabis but will allow citizens access to the plant for medical treatments. That’s the word from Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka, who said the Kingdom was in the process of drafting a bill that would allow cultivation for industrial and medical cannabis only.
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