In Africa, Botswana stands out by launching a pilot cannabis cultivation project
Botswana is starting its first official tests of medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp cultivation, marking a significant advancement for the country and reflecting Africa's growing movement towards regulated and sustainable models
Published on 11/24/2025
Botswana's cannabis project signals a new phase for Africa in the green sector | CanvaPro
Botswana's President, Duma Boko, has confirmed that in December 2025, an experimental cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use and industrial hemp will begin.
This project will be developed at the University of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (BUAN), under government supervision, marking a concrete step towards agricultural diversification.
Regulatory strategy and international partnerships
Although the regulatory framework is still being consolidated, lawmakers recently approved the Cannabis Act and updated substance trafficking legislation to enable a rigorously regulated market.
To operationalize cultivation, the country has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Swedish company Hemp Innovations Europe (HIE), BUAN, and the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI).
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Together, the institutions will conduct research that will explore both hemp and medicinal cannabis, with future participation of local farmers.
Furthermore, according to the government, hemp is seen as a strategic crop to address the country's climate challenges: the plant requires little water, is pest-resistant, and its root system can help stabilize vulnerable soils.
With information from El.Planteo.
