Review of African Cannabis Regulatory Changes (as of September 2026)
Africa’s cannabis regulations continue to evolve unevenly. No country has legalised commercial recreational (adult-use retail) cannabis. Most progress is limited to medical, scientific, industrial hemp, or private adult use (South Africa only). Below is a summary of the most significant recent changes.
South Africa (Most Dynamic Market)
- Private adult use: The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 was signed into law in May 2024. It protects private possession, cultivation, and use by adults. Full commencement still depends on final regulations. Draft regulations (published February 2026) propose limits such as up to 5 plants and 750 g possession — these are not yet final.
- Hemp (major change): The Plant Improvement Act 2018 and its regulations came into force on 1 December 2025. The THC threshold for hemp was raised from 0.2 % to 2 %. This has opened commercial cultivation, import, and export under agricultural permits. Over 1,400–2,000 hemp cultivation permits have been issued.
- Medicinal cannabis: SAHPRA continues to issue Section 22C licences (around 100–120 active cultivation licences reported). Export of pharmaceutical-grade flower and material is established.
- Upcoming: A Hemp & Cannabis Commercialisation Policy is targeted for Cabinet by April 2026. An overarching Cannabis Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by mid-2027.
Lesotho
- Pioneer in African medical cannabis (first licences 2017).
- Continues under the Drugs of Abuse (Cannabis) Regulations 2018. A November 2025 amendment tightened import/export rules, raised fees, and strengthened lab-testing requirements.
- Industrial hemp falls under the same licensing regime. Focus remains on export-oriented medical flower and extracts (EU-GMP producers active).
Ghana
- NACOC (Amendment) Act 2023 and Cultivation and Management of Cannabis Regulations 2023 established a framework for industrial and medicinal cannabis with a strict ≤0.3 % THC limit.
- First cultivation licences issued in July 2026 (to MG Adom Limited and Juliopta Limited).
- 11 licence categories exist. Strong Ghanaian ownership requirements apply. Recreational use remains illegal.
Botswana
- Cannabis Bill 2025 passed in August 2025, creating a framework for medicinal, scientific, research, and industrial purposes only.
- Supporting amendments to narcotic laws followed. National Cannabis Control Authority established; pilot licences reported in 2026. Recreational use prohibited.
Zimbabwe
- Industrial hemp regulations in place since 2020. Government focus has shifted to commercial scale-up (field trials and planted area expanding in 2026).
- Medicinal cannabis licences also exist. Recreational use remains illegal.
Malawi
- Cannabis Regulation Act 2020 created the Cannabis Regulatory Authority and allows licensed industrial hemp and medical cannabis (THC limit typically ≤1 %).
- Multiple cultivation, processing, and storage licences have been issued. Recreational use remains illegal.
Other Notable Developments
- Rwanda: Advancing plans for commercial medical cannabis production. Recreational use will stay illegal.
- Zambia: Hemp law commenced in 2025; Controlled Substances Act updates in 2026. Separate Cannabis Act still pending full commencement.
- Morocco: Continues regulated medical/industrial cultivation in designated Rif areas under ANRAC.
- Uganda, Eswatini, DRC, Nigeria: Incremental moves toward medical or industrial frameworks, but slower implementation.
Overall Trends (2025–2026)
| Aspect | Status Across Africa |
|---|---|
| Commercial recreational | Not legal anywhere |
| Private adult use | Only South Africa (limits still being finalised) |
| Medicinal / export | Growing (Lesotho, SA, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi, etc.) |
| Industrial hemp | Expanding; SA now has the highest THC threshold (2 %) |
| Regulatory focus | Export markets, job creation, economic diversification |
| Common constraints | Strict THC limits, high compliance costs, limited domestic patient access |
Bottom line: Regulatory momentum is real but cautious and export-oriented. South Africa leads on private-use rights and hemp liberalisation. Lesotho, Ghana, Botswana, and Zimbabwe are actively issuing or expanding cultivation licences for medical and industrial purposes. Full commercial adult-use markets remain years away.
This is a high-level summary based on publicly available information as of September 2026. Laws and implementation change frequently — always verify with the relevant national regulator (SAHPRA, NACOC, Ministry of Health, etc.) or qualified legal counsel before making business or personal decisions.