Zimbabwe recently scrapped rules requiring sole state ownership for cannabis farming to encourage investment in the plant for industrial and medicinal uses. Zimbabwe is Africa's largest tobacco producer, but authorities expect hemp export earnings to start replacing tobacco as farmers seek higher earnings from the crop

Nairobi has registered the highest prevalence of Cannabis use with National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) estimating abuse by 1 in 53 Kenyans aged 15-65 nationwide.

The Constitutional Court in Kampala has nullified the entire Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 2016 on grounds that it was passed without the required quorum in Parliament.

Lesotho’s cannabis fortunes may be changing for the better after leading cultivator MG Health secured new interest from international investors. CEO Andre Bothma says product purity is the key to meeting rapidy growing international demand.

Authorities in Morocco announced on Sunday, 30 April 2023, the official start of its first legal cannabis growing season. The Royal Household has also confirmed that it will continue to represent Africa on the UN Commission of Narcotic Drugs.

Nigerian authorities have intercepted a shipment of 63 kgs of synthetic cannabis at Tincan Port in Lagos that was concealed in a Toyota Corolla imported from Canada. Nigeria, which is the world's highest consumer of cannabis, appears increasingly to be a hub in transnational drug smuggling.

Leading Rwandan fashion designer and businessman Moses Turahirwa has been arrested on cannabis charges and forgery after he openly admitted his cannabis use and posted a photo of his passport in which he identified as a woman.

The issuing of cannabis licences in Lesotho appears to have been held up because of a power struggle over the appointment of a new Narcotics Bureau which would be the responsible body. This has emerged from an interview with Oane Solutions founder CEO Tseli Khiba by Deon Maas for Cannavigia.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the case against the two Nigerian reporters to be dropped. They were found guilty of conspiracy and defamation after they published a report on their private news site alleging cannabis use at a rice factory in the southern state of Kwara.

Harare has set its THC limits in the definition of hemp at 1% making it a far more attractive investment destination for international capital than South Africa which has a 0,2% THC limit. Most industry observers say this is unrealistic given local climatic conditions, given the propensity of “THC spikes” that are difficult to control.

As Zimbabwe continues to shape rules and laws for the hemp industry, the country needs to simultaneously build out infrastructure and expand research while spreading risk by moving beyond CBD into the production of food and fibre products.

Police have arrested and charged leading Namibian businesswoman, Jennifer Comalie, on drug-dealing charges after skunk, coke and crack cocaine were found in her official vehicle. However, there are deep suspicions that this may have been a set-up in a political dispute over oil interests.