African Cannabis, Hemp & CBD Conferences and Expos 2026–2028
Looking for cannabis, hemp and CBD conferences and expos in Africa? This guide brings together confirmed and publicly announced professional conferences, trade exhibitions, industry summits and business events taking place across Africa between September 2026 and September 2028.
Africa’s cannabis and hemp industries are developing rapidly, creating opportunities for cultivators, processors, manufacturers, retailers, investors, researchers, healthcare professionals, regulators, technology providers and entrepreneurs.
Conferences and expos provide an opportunity to discover new products and technologies, meet potential business partners, learn about regulation and market developments, and connect with companies operating across the African cannabis and hemp supply chain.
Upcoming African Cannabis Conferences & Expos
The following events have publicly available information at the time of publication. Dates and venues can change, so visitors and exhibitors should always confirm details with the official event organiser before making travel or business arrangements.
1. Medicinal Cannabis Business Conference (MCBC) 2027
Date: 17–18 March 2027
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Type: Professional conference
Focus: Medicinal cannabis, healthcare, regulation, science and business
The Medicinal Cannabis Business Conference (MCBC) is positioned as a professional event focused on the intersection of cannabis, healthcare, policy and commercial development.
The conference is presented in partnership with SAPHEX, the South African pharmaceutical and healthcare exhibition, bringing cannabis stakeholders into a wider healthcare and pharmaceutical environment.
Topics include the development of the South African cannabis industry, science, regulation, clinical care and commercial opportunities.
The 2027 edition is scheduled for 17–18 March 2027 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Who should attend?
- Cannabis producers
- Medicinal cannabis businesses
- Healthcare professionals
- Researchers and scientists
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Investors
- Regulatory professionals
- Cannabis entrepreneurs
2. The Cannabis Expo 2027
Date: 28–30 May 2027
Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Type: Cannabis trade exhibition, convention and business event
Focus: Cannabis, hemp, medicine, agriculture, finance, technology and lifestyle
The Cannabis Expo is one of the major cannabis industry exhibition platforms in Africa, bringing together businesses, professionals, consumers and industry stakeholders.
The 2027 edition is scheduled for 28–30 May 2027 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The exhibition covers products and services across the cannabis industry, including medicinal cannabis, agriculture, finance, technology and lifestyle. The event also incorporates the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit.
The Cannabis Expo Convention
The conference programme covers a broad range of professional subjects, including:
- Legislation and regulation
- Licensing and compliance
- Medicinal cannabis
- Processing and extraction
- Agriculture and cultivation
- Cannabis business and finance
- Government and private-sector cooperation
- Technology
- Quality, testing and certification
- Regional African cannabis markets
The Expo Stage provides talks and panel discussions involving industry leaders and government representatives.
Who should attend?
- Cannabis and hemp businesses
- Growers and cultivators
- Processors and manufacturers
- Retailers
- Investors
- Healthcare professionals
- Technology companies
- Legal and compliance professionals
- Government and regulatory stakeholders
- Entrepreneurs and startups
3. Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit 2027
Date: 28–30 May 2027 programme period
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
Type: Cannabis and hemp business summit
The Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit forms part of The Cannabis Expo programme and focuses specifically on business, investment, cultivation, manufacturing, regulation and the development of the African cannabis and hemp ecosystem.
The summit brings together stakeholders including cultivators, investors, processors, regulators, manufacturers, retailers, cannabis clubs, brokers, brands and supply-chain businesses.
The programme includes masterclasses, panel discussions, keynote presentations, workshops and networking opportunities.
Key areas of interest
- Cannabis cultivation
- Hemp production
- Processing
- Investment
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Regulation
- Supply chains
- Cannabis business development
- Networking
4. World Class Cannabis Business Africa 2027
Date: 18–19 November 2027
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Type: Business conference
Focus: Cannabis business, investment, markets and strategic development
World Class Cannabis Business Africa 2027 is designed as a focused business conference rather than a large consumer trade show.
The organiser describes the event as a business-focused environment built around case studies, presentations, workshops, networking and meetings between decision-makers and industry suppliers.
The published 2027 programme is scheduled for 18–19 November 2027 in Cape Town. The organiser describes a limited-format event with approximately 150 attendees from around 100 companies.
Potential areas of interest
- African cannabis markets
- Investment opportunities
- Market development
- Consumer behaviour
- Competitive landscapes
- Business strategy
- Partnership development
- Industry networking
- Innovation
5. Cannabis Industry Exhibitions at Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Events
Cannabis-related business activity in Africa is not limited to dedicated cannabis exhibitions. Some professional cannabis conferences are also held alongside larger pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical exhibitions.
This is particularly relevant for companies working in medical cannabis, cannabinoid research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare and regulated cannabis products.
SAPHEX, for example, includes the Medicinal Cannabis Business Conference within its wider pharmaceutical and healthcare event programme. The 2027 SAPHEX event is scheduled for 17–18 March 2027 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Why Attend a Cannabis or Hemp Conference in Africa?
A professional conference or expo can be useful for businesses looking to understand the African cannabis and hemp marketplace.
Networking
Conferences bring together companies and professionals from different parts of the supply chain, making them useful environments for developing commercial relationships.
Business Development
Exhibitions allow companies to present products, services, technology and solutions directly to potential customers and partners.
Market Research
Attending conferences can provide insight into emerging business models, technologies, consumer trends and developments within individual African markets.
Regulation & Compliance
Regulatory discussions are particularly important in the African cannabis industry because laws, licensing systems and permitted uses can differ significantly between countries.
Investment
Business conferences can provide opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and companies to meet and discuss projects, partnerships and potential investment opportunities.
Education
Many conferences include keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops and technical sessions covering cultivation, processing, medicine, regulation and business.
Countries Hosting Cannabis Conferences & Expos
South Africa
South Africa currently has the most visible concentration of publicly announced professional cannabis conferences and expos in Africa.
Major events include The Cannabis Expo, Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit, Medicinal Cannabis Business Conference and World Class Cannabis Business Africa.
Other African Markets
Cannabis and hemp industries are also developing in markets including Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and other African countries.
However, publicly confirmed professional conferences and expos with clearly published future dates are not currently as numerous across these markets as they are in South Africa.
CBD Africa will continue monitoring the African conference and exhibition calendar as new events are announced.
Conference vs Expo – What’s the Difference?
| Conference | Expo |
|---|---|
| Primarily education and discussion | Primarily exhibition and business discovery |
| Keynotes and presentations | Exhibitor stands and product displays |
| Panels and workshops | Demonstrations and networking |
| Often aimed at professionals | Can include trade visitors and consumers |
| Strong focus on knowledge | Strong focus on products and services |
Many modern cannabis events combine both formats, allowing visitors to attend educational sessions while also meeting exhibitors and exploring products and services.
Who Should Attend African Cannabis Conferences & Expos?
- Cannabis entrepreneurs
- Hemp farmers and cultivators
- CBD businesses
- Medical cannabis companies
- Pharmaceutical businesses
- Processors and manufacturers
- Retailers and distributors
- Investors and financial professionals
- Lawyers and compliance specialists
- Researchers and universities
- Healthcare professionals
- Technology providers
- Packaging companies
- Testing laboratories
- Government and regulatory organisations
- International companies entering African markets
African Cannabis Conference & Expo Calendar
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17–18 March 2027 | Medicinal Cannabis Business Conference | Johannesburg, South Africa | Conference |
| 28–30 May 2027 | The Cannabis Expo | Johannesburg, South Africa | Expo & Conference |
| 28–30 May 2027 | Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Summit | Johannesburg, South Africa | Business Summit |
| 18–19 November 2027 | World Class Cannabis Business Africa | Cape Town, South Africa | Business Conference |
Dates shown above are based on information publicly available at the time this guide was prepared. Always check the organiser’s official website before booking travel, accommodation, exhibition space or conference tickets.
Find African Cannabis & Hemp Events on CBDAfrica.com
CBDAfrica.com is building a dedicated directory of cannabis, hemp and CBD industry events across Africa.
Our Conferences & Expos directory is designed to help visitors discover professional events by:
- Country
- City
- Event type
- Industry sector
- Date
- Business focus
- Medical cannabis
- Hemp
- CBD
- Cultivation
- Processing
- Investment
- Regulation
- Technology
Submit a Cannabis or Hemp Conference or Expo
Are you organising a cannabis, hemp or CBD conference, exhibition, trade show, summit or business event in Africa?
Submit your event to CBDAfrica.com so that African industry professionals can discover your event.
Event listings can include the event name, dates, location, venue, organiser, website, description, industry sectors, speaker information, exhibitor information and registration details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest cannabis expos in Africa?
The Cannabis Expo in Johannesburg is one of the major dedicated cannabis exhibition platforms currently announced for Africa. Its programme combines exhibition space with a convention and industry-focused educational sessions.
Where are most African cannabis conferences held?
At present, South Africa has a particularly strong concentration of publicly announced cannabis conferences and expos, with Johannesburg and Cape Town hosting several professional events.
Are African cannabis conferences open to everyone?
Access varies by event. Some events are designed for industry professionals and trade visitors, while others combine professional conferences with public exhibition areas. Always check the individual organiser’s admission requirements.
Can businesses exhibit at African cannabis expos?
Many expos offer exhibition and sponsorship opportunities. The Cannabis Expo, for example, publishes exhibitor and sponsorship enquiries for companies wishing to participate.
Are these events suitable for investors?
Business-focused cannabis conferences can be useful for investors researching companies, markets, technologies and commercial developments. However, individual investment decisions should always be based on independent due diligence.
Does CBDAfrica list events outside Africa?
The CBDAfrica Conferences & Expos directory is focused specifically on events taking place in African countries. International events may be relevant to African businesses, but they are outside the geographic scope of this directory.
Important Information
Event dates, venues, speakers, programmes, admission requirements and exhibitor opportunities may change. Information on this page is provided for general information and event discovery purposes.
Always confirm the latest information directly with the event organiser before making travel, accommodation, ticketing, exhibition or business arrangements.
CBDAfrica.com does not guarantee the availability, accuracy, quality or commercial performance of any event, exhibitor, speaker, sponsor or organiser listed on the website.