Cannabis in Africa

Cannabis in Africa: A Continent Caught Between Tradition and Reform

Cannabis has been present in Africa for over a millennium. It is believed to have been introduced to the east coast by Arab and Indian merchants, and subsequently became an integral part of agricultural, medicinal, and cultural practices in many regions: the Moroccan Rif, Southern Africa, and the East African highlands. However, current laws largely date back to the colonial era or to when countries aligned their legislation with the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. As a result, in the vast majority of African countries, recreational use remains prohibited, even though cannabis is cultivated, consumed, and sometimes tolerated in practice.

In recent years, the mindset has been shifting. African countries are viewing cannabis less as a security issue and more as an economic opportunity: medical cannabis for export, industrial hemp, and rural jobs. Lesotho led the way in 2017 by issuing the continent’s first licenses for medical cannabis cultivation, followed notably by Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda. The climate, labor costs, and abundant sunshine are also attracting foreign investors seeking new production sites.

Cannabis Legislation in Africa: A Country-by-Country Overview

The situation varies widely. This table summarizes the situation in the countries whose news we track. Click on a country to view its detailed page.

Three Major Trends

Countries that are establishing a legal supply chain

The Morocco is considered a testing ground for the continent. Five years after the passage of Law 13-21, the country has registered 140 cannabis-based products, has authorized retail locations and has doubled its legally permitted cultivation area. The’South Africa decriminalized private use through a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling, which was upheld by the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act in 2024, but is still waiting for its legal market. The Lesotho and the Rwanda are positioning themselves in the medical cannabis export market.

Countries in Transition

The Botswana is preparing for commercial hemp production and pilot crops for medical use. The Nigeria is moving closer to legalizing medical cannabis and industrial hemp. The Ghana is looking for partners to help organize its industry. Maurice is working on a reform of its drug laws, and the’Eswatini is reviewing a text on medical cannabis.

Countries Where Prohibition Remains in Full Force

Visit Kenya, the High Court rejected the Rastafarians’ request for an exemption for the religious use of cannabis, and a proposed petition seeks to legalize it nationwide. In most other countries on the continent, cannabis possession remains a criminal offense, although enforcement varies widely.

A Challenge for Development and Inclusion

The African debate on cannabis is inextricably linked to the issue of agriculture. Hundreds of thousands of small-scale producers already make their living from this plant—particularly in South Africa, Morocco, and East Africa—and risk being excluded from legal markets where licensing is costly and complex. Access to licenses for traditional producers has become one of the major sticking points in the ongoing reforms.

Further information

Check out the news below for the latest legislative developments, new cultivation permits, and court rulings on the continent. To compare with the rest of the world, see our feature on the Cannabis Legalization Around the World and our content on the medical marijuana.