Although South Africa accounts for a tiny percentage of global cannabis trade, it is an important part of the bigger picture, with cannabis markets in Europe, the UK, Israel and Australia. Cannabiz Africa reports on international developments affecting the African cannabis and hemp sector as well as consumer market trends of interest to South African operators.
Twenty one people have been arrested, including a ‘high value target” in a multi-national operation by Europol targeting a ‘guns for cannabis’ trading network spanning the EU. The arrests came during a coordinated action on 23 March 2026 across Spain, Bulgaria and Greece.
Cannabis consumption methods are being shaped by technology. Moroccan master-grower and plant breeder Ahmed Akafou has posted that smoking cannabis is increasingly being replaced by controlled inhalation across the wellness, medical and adult use markets as its benefits become clearer.
South Africa’s struggle to crack the export cannabis market is reflected in the Commission on Narcotic Drugs 2026 report which pegs this country as one of the lowest contributors to global imports, accounting for, along with four other countries, less than 2% of the market.
It’s a sign of the times – a cannabis giant moving in to rescue a distressed alcohol company that has fallen victim to shifting consumer patterns and regulatory hardship. Tilray paid only £33m for BrewDog’s IP and select operations which are part of its strategy to be the king of worldwide craft beverage sales.
Internationally, there’s a new wave of cannabis capital consolidation at play. Judging from capital flows, investors are no longer interested in backing regulatory promises and untested business plans; now they want to see the revenue before they write the cheque.
The international legal cannabis market continues growing at over 20% a year, driven by legal reforms, increased demand for medical cannabis, greater acceptance of ‘recreational’ as well as continued innovations in formats and products.
Ukraine has put the protocols in place to roll out its medical cannabis programme this year as the country marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. The war-torn country legalised medical cannabis last year, mainly to treat war veterans for post-traumatic stress, as the conflict drags on.
A silent killer has infiltrated the cannabis market, destroying product variety, causing consumers paranoia and anxiety and forcing quality producers to destroy their best weed. Its name, “the green death, the numbers game, high potency”, aka the inflation of THC.
Imports of medical cannabis skyrocketed to an estimated 192 tons in 2025—up from 32 tons in 2023, the last full year before the reform. Sales within the country jumped from nearly €1 billion in 2024 to roughly €2 billion in 2025, driven mainly by online.
Ten years ago, cannabis was associated with an underground counter-culture. Today, the plant is recognized as being an important part a full-blown wellness revolution that is shaping consumer health trends.
The latest news from the rapidly evolving African cannabis and hemp sector in your in-box every Thursday, fresh and free. Don’t miss out on what’s happening on market and regulatory developments across the continent, subscribe now for exclusive coverage, breaking news and opinions that will help you make informed decisions.
"*" indicates required fields
32,400+ subscribers · Unsubscribe anytime · No spam, ever.
Start typing below to search Cannabiz Africa.
