Pretoria – South Africa is stepping up efforts to position itself as a global leader in the legal cannabis industry, with government backing and private sector investment driving growth.
On Monday, 18 May 2026, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, visited Karoo Bioscience, a South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)- licensed producer and exporter of medical cannabis.
Deputy Minister Morolong praised Karoo Bioscience’s cannabis operations, highlighting its potential to boost rural economies, create jobs, and position South Africa as a global player in medicinal cannabis.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting innovation and sustainable growth in the sector.
“Facilities like Karoo Bioscience demonstrate how innovation in agriculture can generate employment opportunities for young people and women in particular,” said Deputy Minister Morolong.
“South Africa must seize the opportunity to become a leader in medicinal cannabis, ensuring that our products meet international standards and open doors to export markets.
“Karoo Bioscience’s investment in renewable energy shows how cannabis production can align with our national goals of carbon neutrality and green growth.”
The company represents a R400 million investment into the rural community of Vanwyksdorp, where it is the primary employer.
Karoo Bioscience operates almost entirely on solar power, employs 115 permanent staff, and has made its workers shareholders across all levels.
The firm is financially stable, carrying no institutional debt, and will later this year undergo inspection by a European regulatory authority.
The visit forms part of the Presidency’s Country Investment Strategy, which identifies sectors such as industrial cannabis and advanced agro‑processing opportunities linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Karoo Bioscience already exports to licensed importers in Australia, Portugal, Malta, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland.
South Africa’s cannabis policy has shifted significantly since President Cyril Ramaphosa declared in his 2025 State of the Nation Address that the country aims to lead in commercial hemp and cannabis production.
The National Cannabis Master Plan, managed by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, is centralising policy, streamlining licensing, and fostering inclusive growth.
Recent legislation, including the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act of 2024, has laid the foundation for regulated cultivation and private use.
With SAHPRA having issued 120 export licences and the Department of Agriculture granting over 1 400 cultivation permits, momentum is building.
Pending regulatory changes, such as raising the THC threshold for hemp crops, are expected to unlock broader industrial uses.
Through coordinated government support and private investment, South Africa is transitioning from informal cultivation to a regulated, economically driven cannabis industry.
*All images courtesy GCIS
