Only a handful of cannabis exporters are operating
Fewer than 15 of the 57 licensed cannabis operators are believed to be still in business as Zimbabwe struggles to lure foreign investors into the sector. The main operators are all multinationals, and although they may be able to afford the steep license renewals, the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe is becoming excessive and unlikely to attract new entrants. The cost of a five year license is US$50 000.
Zimbabwe legalised the production of cannabis for medicinal and scientific use in 2018 as part of efforts to diversify agricultural exports and attract investment into pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. However, the better part of a decade later, the sector has yet to get out of the starting block.
Excessive red tape and high costs being the main stumbling blocks despite the attractive investment incentives offered by the Zimbabwean Industrial Development Agency (Zida). Those companies that have invested in Zimbabwe, however, are all reportedly struggling and it’s unclear whether there were any cannabis exports at all in 2025.
Sporadic exports, no records
No official records are available on Zimbabwe’s cannabis exports, besides a 30 ton order of industrial hemp that was exported to Switzerland in 2022. That was from Swiss Bioceuticals Limited (Switzerland) which invested $27 million medicinal cannabis farm and state-of-the-art processing plant in Mount Hampden, Harare in the early 2020’s and is believed to be the biggest player in the Zimbabwean cannabis landscape.
An AI search on the subject is not helpful. Unverified or named sources list Poland, Germany and Switzerland as having imported Zimbabwean cannabis and besides Swiss Bioceuticals, AI names Eco Equity from the UK and Amathoen from Germany as the main players in Zimbabwean cannabis. However, Cannabiz Africa understands that both are no longer operating in Zimbabwe and this information is outdated.
Other entities are reported to be King Kong Organics / KKOG Global (USA), which constructed one of the first cannabis processing and export plants in Zimbabwe at Msasa, Harare, and Luxacan (Pvt) Ltd which operates in Concession, Mashonaland Central, focusing on high-THC cannabis and medical-grade CBD. Wild Leaf Farms and Avagro (Pvt) Ltd are both wholly foreign-owned, while Thandakulu Farms is understood to be the main locally-owned exporter.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has confirmed that all licences granted under the first round of approvals following the legalisation of medicinal and scientific cannabis production will expire this year, stressing that late renewal applications will not be accepted.
In a formal notice to licence holders, MCAZ Director General Mr Richard Rukwata, said producers involved in the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes must submit renewal applications before their licences lapse to avoid disruptions to their operations.
‘Pay or else’
“Licences issued in 2021 were valid for five years and are now reaching expiry. Renewal is mandatory for continued lawful operations,” Rukwata said.
He warned that failure to act within the prescribed timeframe would result in the automatic loss of licensing status, as the authority is not legally permitted to process renewal applications once a licence has expired.
As part of the renewal process, MCAZ has issued a proforma invoice setting the cannabis licence renewal fee at US$20 000. The authority said its cash office is operational and able to accept payments, while bank deposits can also be made through a designated Nedbank account in Harare.
However, licence holders have been cautioned that bank transfers may attract charges that could result in underpayment, and they are advised to ensure any shortfalls are covered to allow full settlement of fees. Proof of payment must be submitted promptly, clearly referencing the invoice number or purpose of payment, to avoid delays in processing.
Red tape overload
With the first cohort of licences now expiring, the renewal process will be a key test of regulatory compliance and sector maturity. Those brave enough to carry on will know that the renewal process in and of itself is an exercise in ‘Red Tape’.
The process is governed by the Dangerous Drugs Regulations contained in Statutory Instrument 62 of 2018. Under the regulations, licence holders must lodge renewal applications before expiry and demonstrate continued compliance with all conditions attached to the original licence.
Applicants are required to submit the prescribed renewal fee, a copy of the existing licence, and a declaration signed by an authorised person confirming that all licensing information remains accurate and complete. The declaration must also confirm ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements relating to production standards, security, record keeping and operational oversight.
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