Now in its third year, the summit has established itself as one of Africa’s leading platforms focused on the commercial, regulatory and investment dimensions of the cannabis and industrial hemp value chain. It will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre alongside The Cannabis Expo, one of the region’s largest cannabis-focused consumer and trade exhibitions.
Organisers say the 2026 event reflects a broader shift underway both locally and internationally, as hemp and cannabis move from niche sectors into mainstream agricultural and industrial planning.
Global momentum, local opportunity
Internationally, hemp is gaining renewed attention as a multi-use crop with applications ranging from fibre and textiles to food, construction materials and bioplastics. At the same time, regulated medical cannabis markets continue to expand in Europe and North America, creating demand for compliant, export-ready supply chains.
Africa, and South Africa in particular, is increasingly being viewed as well positioned to participate in this growth. Factors include favourable climates, relatively low production costs and expanding regulatory frameworks that allow for licensed cultivation and processing.
The summit’s 2026 theme, ‘Africa’s Gateway to the Global Cannabis Economy’, reflects this positioning. Delegates from Africa, Europe and the US are expected to attend, with the focus firmly on investment readiness, policy alignment and commercial scalability.
“This is where policy meets capital, cultivation meets commerce, and Africa meets the world,” the organisers said in a statement.
Industrial hemp back on the agenda
While cannabis often dominates headlines, industrial hemp is expected to feature prominently in discussions, particularly its potential role in crop diversification for farmers.
Hemp’s short growing cycle, versatility and suitability for both large- and small-scale production have drawn renewed interest from policymakers and agribusiness investors. In countries where regulatory barriers have been reduced, hemp has been integrated into fibre, grain and wellness markets, with downstream value-adding often generating more income than raw production alone.
For South African producers, speakers at the summit are expected to highlight the importance of moving beyond cultivation into processing, manufacturing and export-oriented value chains.
International partnerships signal confidence
One of the indicators of the sector’s growing maturity is the level of international engagement. The summit is being delivered by Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy in partnership with the Global Cannabis Network Collective, based in the US.
Formal collaborations have also been established with Industrial Hemp International, a major US-based hemp trade platform, and CannaTrade in Switzerland, one of Europe’s longest-running cannabis exhibitions. According to organisers, these partnerships are intended to facilitate cross-border investment, technology transfer and market access for African operators.
Such international alignment suggests that Africa is no longer viewed solely as a future opportunity, but as an emerging participant in global cannabis and hemp supply chains.
Regulatory certainty key to growth
Despite growing interest, industry stakeholders remain clear that regulatory certainty will be essential if economic potential is to be realised. Across Africa, countries are moving at different speeds to establish frameworks governing medical cannabis, industrial hemp and related exports.
In South Africa, progress has been made, but challenges remain around licensing timelines, compliance costs and access to markets. Summit organisers say the event is designed to move beyond high-level discussion and focus on practical implementation.
Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy, which presents the summit, is currently the only higher-education-accredited institution in Africa dedicated exclusively to cannabis and hemp training. Its involvement is intended to ensure that discussions are grounded in operational realities rather than speculation.
From policy to production
Programme highlights for the 2026 Summit include a full day of panel discussions, access to The Cannabis Expo, and optional pre- and post-event activities such as cultivation training and site visits to licensed medical cannabis farms.
For international delegates in particular, these immersion experiences are designed to demonstrate the practical realities of operating within South Africa’s regulatory environment.
As global demand for compliant cannabis and hemp products continues to grow, the focus is increasingly shifting from whether the industry will expand, to who will be positioned to benefit.
For South African agriculture, the message from the summit is clear: hemp and cannabis are no longer fringe conversations, but emerging industries that could play a meaningful role in the country’s agricultural and economic future.
For more information on the summit, phone Linda Siboto on 73 196 6793 or email [email protected], or phone Magan Govender on 72 277 0195 or email [email protected].
